WWT Steart Marshes will connect coastal communities with help from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
A £237,000 grant awarded to the team at WWT’s coastal wetland nature reserve in Somerset will connect people with nature, culture and history in new and exciting ways.
Somerset’s coastal wetland nature reserve, WWT Steart Marshes, will explore a suite of new ways to connect people with coastal nature and heritage, thanks to a grant of more than £200,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The reserve, managed by WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife as part of the Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve, will develop educational materials for all ages, an interactive audio trail, community artwork workshops, and will install two new viewing platforms overlooking recently created ponds and scrapes.
The WWT Steart Marshes team will be develop educational resources for primary and secondary schools focused on history, geography and science, and a pair of courses with the Field Studies Council for adults. These courses for adult learners will cover the basics of saltmarsh as a habitat, as well as deep diving into identifying specialist saltmarsh plants.
Nicole Turnbull, Connecting Coastal Communities Project Manager at WWT Steart Marshes said: “This funding will help us to create inspiring, accessible experiences for local people to showcase how wetlands have shaped our heritage, and how they can help us in the future.”
“WWT Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay have a fascinating history, with links to everything from the Romans in Britain to World War II. We want to invite our community, especially younger people, to rediscover their connections to the coast and to experience this spectacular saltmarsh.
“We hope that seeing wetland-inspired art and local wildlife up close will forge a deeper connection to our coastal heritage and foster a better understanding of saltmarsh’s important role in combatting climate change and improving flood resilience.”
The new audio trail will be linked to the reserve, helping visitors to explore the three water types at WWT Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay NNR: salt, brackish and freshwater.
Art opportunities for locals will span everything from clay modelling, plant pressing and willow weaving to sea shanty walks and wildlife rap workshops.
As well as appearing on site, some of the artwork created during the two-year project will tour other sites around the south-west, to bring it to a wider audience.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to support WWT Steart Marshes in bringing coastal heritage and nature closer to the communities of Somerset.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will help people of all ages discover the vital role saltmarshes play and connect them to the amazing nature on their doorstep.”
Steart Marshes will also host a special celebration of World Saltmarsh on 11 June 2026, encouraging people to learn more and get close to their local saltmarsh.
Further details about this open day will be shared closer to the time, and those interested can follow WWT Steart Marshes on Facebook and Instagram for the latest on the celebrations.
