Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has forced us to change many things to do with our wetland centres, the conservation work we carry out, and your ability to visit and support us. Below you’ll find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.

You can use the links below to jump straight to the topic you are interested in:
Our Wetland Centres
Membership and support
Conservation
Corporate partners and volunteers

Our Wetland Centres

Updated: Tuesday 5 January

: In line with the latest government coronavirus lockdown ‘stay at home’ restrictions, all our WWT Wetland Centres, are closed to visitors until further notice, except WWT Steart. WWT Steart is an open access nature reserve and can remain open for exercise under the regulations. The toilets and car park remain open at this site. In accordance with the latest government guidelines please ensure you only travel locally if you wish to visit WWT Steart.

We are disappointed that we are unable to keep all our sites open to allow you access to the wetlands and open spaces that we know can be so important for exercise and for your health and wellbeing. However, the latest government coronavirus restrictions clearly state that animal attractions which include collections of animals and wildlife reserves that do not have open access at all times must close.

We will be continuing to review the situation closely and will provide any updates on our website and social media.
: The safety and wellbeing of our animals is paramount. Our dedicated team of animal experts continue to care for our animals daily.
: If you’re booked to visit us before February we will contact you via email and automatically refund your order as soon as we can. Please bear with us while we process these orders.
: We’ve extended the validity on open admission tickets to 31st December 2021.

Membership and support

Updated: Tuesday 5 January

: Please bear with us as we’re currently experiencing a high number of enquiries. If you can, please email us at supporter@wwt.org.uk. If your query is urgent, please call us on 01453 891198 (Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm). Please include your name, membership number (or postcode) along with an email address or phone number, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
: In these challenging times, it really is thanks to our supporters that we can continue so much of our vital conservation work. If you can give more at this time, please donate to our Emergency Appeal.

Alternatively, if you have recently received a renewal letter from us, you can also top up your membership at www.wwt.org.uk/renew or by completing the form on your renewal letter. Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
: Yes, we will still send you your welcome pack and membership cards. Please bear with us if it takes a little longer than we’d like to send everything to you. Our current turnaround time is 4-6 weeks. Please email membership@wwt.org.uk if you have any questions about your new membership.
: Unfortunately, whilst our sites are closed, we are unable to redeem your free gift. Please keep your free gift voucher safe for now. If your voucher has expired or is nearing expiry, don’t worry, we will still honour your free gift when we’re able to safely reopen.
: If you’ve recently received a renewal letter from us, you can now renew your membership at www.wwt.org.uk/renew. Alternatively, complete the form on your renewal letter and post it back to us.
: Thank you so much for your support to-date. As a charity your membership does so much more than help us run our Wetland Centres. Our conservation work protects wetlands, wildlife and people’s wellbeing across the world. Keeping your membership going ensures we are here in the future to continue that work, thank you.

However, we recognise that this is a worrying time for many of our supporters. If you are concerned about not being able to continue your membership for financial reasons, or feel you’ve not received the full value from your membership, we would like to help. Find out if you’re eligible for help with your membership.
: Thank you so much for your support during these challenging times. We recognise the impact closing our doors has on our members and we want to do all we can to help when this happens.

At WWT, we have taken the decision not to offer membership extensions. This is for a number of reasons, including the cost and environmental impact of sending out new membership cards.

However, we recognise that this is a worrying time for many of our supporters. If you are concerned about not being able to continue your membership for financial reasons, or feel you’ve not received the full value from your membership, we would like to help. Find out if you’re eligible for help with your membership.
: Over the coming weeks, we will continue to do all we can to bring nature to you at home. If you haven’t already, you can sign up to our newsletter here.

Conservation

Updated: Tuesday 5 January

: Our conservation work never stops. We continue to manage our sites even when we are closed to visitors.

With the support of our members, we manage 3000ha of wetland nature reserves, most of which are internationally or nationally important for wildlife and protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Ramsar Sites.

We carefully manage these sites so that the habitat is just right for our year-round residents as well as our visiting birds, depending on the season.

Our wetlands are home to hundreds of species, including some of the UK’s most iconic yet endangered wildlife such as curlew, black-tailed godwit and water vole.

Our work at these places and our action elsewhere is fundamental to the delivery of the UK Government’s Environment Plan, the blueprint for the nation’s environment.

Corporate partners and volunteers

Updated: Tuesday 5 January

: To protect our staff and volunteers, we have decided to suspend all corporate volunteering across our centres until further notice.

Still have a question?

Thank you so much for your patience and continued support during this time.

We will have reduced phone cover over the coming weeks, so please email wherever possible, or leave a message and we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Booking and event ticketing enquiries – tickets@wwt.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Limited weekend cover. Enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours.

Membership, donation and adoption enquiries – supporter@wwt.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Enquiries are usually answered within 10 working days. Urgent enquiries will be prioritised.

General enquiries – enquiries@wwt.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Enquiries are usually answered within 48 hours.