Our history
Since the 1940s, we've been on a mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power. Protecting wetlands and saving wetland species is in our DNA.
In 1946, the Severn Wildfowl Trust, now WWT, was established by Sir Peter Scott, a man described by Sir David Attenborough as "the patron saint of conservation". And it's Sir Peter's legacy that runs through everything we do.
Today, more than ever, we need wetlands. But wetlands need our help, too. We're dedicated to continuing the vital conservation work Sir Peter began 80 years ago. With your support, we will lead the way.
Today, conservation science has proven what our founder had always known. Wetlands are wondrous places. Powerful weapons of mass creation with the potential to save species from extinction, tackle climate change, and improve people's lives. That's why we're on a mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power - and empower everyone to do just the same. To be that beacon of hope and optimism as Sir Peter set out to do more than 75 years ago.
WWT timeline
The key dates that tell our story
1946
On 10 November Peter Scott opens Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, the first of 10 WWT wetland centres across the UK
1953
Sir Peter Scott presents the BBC's first ever natural history programme, live from his Slimbridge home
1962
The first Slimbridge-reared nene (Hawaiian goose) is released into the wild in Hawaii, marking the start of the recovery of the whole nene population, which had fallen to just 30 birds. The world population has now recovered to over 2,000.
1964
Sir Peter Scott initated the WWT Bewick Swan study from his family home at Slimbridge. Through individual painting of the birds' beak patterns he was able to identify each bird and follow their life histories.
1969
Plans to build a dam at the main area for breeding pink-footed geese in Thjorsarver, Iceland are dropped after successful lobbying by WWT.
1970
WWT Welney in East Anglia opens to the public, after Sir Peter Scott was donated 100 acres of land on the Ouse Washes for wetland conservation.
1971
WWT founder Sir Peter Scott is a key author of the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, to protect wetlands of international importance. Ramsar is the oldest environmental agreement in the world.1973 - Knighted for his servies to conservation, Peter Scott becomes Sir Peter Scott.
1975
In the north-west of England, WWT Martin Mere officially opens to the public on 1 March.
1975
In the north-east of England, WWT Washington opens to public on 29 May.
1976
WWT Arundel in Sussex, opens to the public on 10th November.
1993
The main white-headed duck wintering site at Burdur Golu, Turkey is formally protected following a collaborative study initiated by WWT.
1985
WWT's Martin Mere is designated a Ramsar site for the international importance of the wildlife found there.
1989
Sir Peter Scott dies, at the age of 79.
1990
WWT takes over management of Northern Ireland's Castle Espie wetland reserve.
1991
Sir David Attenborough officially opens our Welsh site, WWT Llanelli, on 17 April.
1993
The main white-headed duck wintering site at Burdur Golu, Turkey, is formally protected following a collaborative study initiated by WWT.
1998
WWT supports expeditions in Sumatra to locate the elusive 'Spirit duck' or White winged duck and which has an endemic 'white headed' subspecies only found on the island.
1999
The long-term protection of barnacle geese at Caerlaverock by WWT and others enables the Svalbard barnacle goose population to reach 25,000 just 50 years after dropping to only 300.
2000
The WWT London Wetland Centre opens, providing an oasis for wildlife and a place of tranquillity for people in the heart of London's suburbs.
2003
Carmarthen Bay is declared the UK's first marine Special Protection Area after WWT surveys show its importance for common scoters.
2005
The Laysan teal, one of the most endangered species of duck in the world, is translocated to Midway Atoll in Hawaii, to safeguard the species with the help of WWT.
2008
WWT supports Brazilian colleagues to capture 14 critically endangered Brazilian mergansers in Serra de Cansatra Brazil and fit them with colour rings and radio tags to further our understanding for how to save the species
2009
WWT brings Madagascar pochards into captivity to prevent imminent extinction - at the time just 25 remain in the world. Nine years later in 2018, WWT and Durrell Conservation Trust reintroduce 21 of these these rare birds into the wild for the first time.
2010
The Great Crane Project successfully hand-rears and releases 21 Eurasian cranes into the wild in England. The species has been absent in the UK for 400 years. 15 years later in 2025, crane numbers hit approximately 250, their highest in years.
2013
A three-year project, Generation Wild, launches. 13 years later, in 2026, it has helped almost 75,000 UK schoolchildren and their families connect with nature by providing schools in disadvantage areas with free learning experiences at WWT wetland centres.
2013
WWT's aviculturists developed a novel conservation approach, 'headstarting' to release 16 spoon-billed sandpiper chicks in northern Russia, boosting the global number of fledglings by 25%, the start of a project that will release 235 back into the Arctic tundra over the next 10 years.
2014
WWT Steart Marshes, one of the UK's largest created tidal wetlands designed to protect local communities from flooding while storing carbon, is completed.
2016
King Charles III takes over as patron of WWT from HM Queen Elizabeth II, cutting the Trust's 70 birthday cake.
2016
The historic Flight of the Swans Expedition takes place, following Sacha Dench as she paramotors the migration route of the Bewick's swan to raise awareness of the challenges they face.
2016
WWT gives evidence to MPs on flood prevention, using wetlands as part of the Blueprint for Water coalition, gaining greater recognition of this nature-based solution
2017
WWT and RSPB launch initiate 'Project Godwit'. The EU LIFE-funded project aims to safeguard the black-tailed godwit as a breeding bird in England. Conservation teams led the world's first headstarting and translocation project for the species; releasing 24 birds at WWT Welney.
2020
WWT launch a wetland home-learning programme and other digital experiences to support members during the Covid-19 lockdown.
2020
The Slimbridge 75 (2020) Heritage Lottery project is completed at Slimbridge, showcasing WWTs conservation history to visitors.
2021
WWT launch its Blue Recovery strategy focusing on creating 100,000 hectares of healthy wetlands across the UK.
2021
Flourishing Floodplains project launches, where WWT plan to restore the Severn and Avon Vale floodplains to act as strongholds for biodiversity.
2022
King Charles III officially opens Sir Peter Scott's Slimbridge home to the public.
2023
Wetlands are the way - WWT's strategy to 2030 - is launched, setting out how we will turn ambition into action with the urgency today's world demands.
2024
A new generation of black-tailed godwits hatched by WWT experts, as part of the Godwit Futures project, aiming to establish new breeding populations of godwits through conservation breeding.
2024
WWT announces the purchase of 148-hectares of low-lying land on the Awre peninsula for a pioneering saltmarsh restoration project, made possible thanks to a £21 million donation from Aviva.
2025
WWT, in partnership with Eagle Reintroduction Wales and Gwent Wildlife Trust, begin the process to reintroduce white-tailed eagles to South Wales and the Severn Estuary, aiming to restore wetland ecosystems throughout the region.
2026
After a decades-long campaign, legislation banning poisonous lead ammunition in outdoor shooting comes into force in England, Scotland and Wales, throwing a lifeline to the country's wildlife.
2026
WWT, in partnership with Aviva, announces its Wetland Cities project which aims to support Bristol in becoming the UK's first Wetland City.
2026
WWT turns 80.