Conservation

Autumn reserves roundup

Autumn reserves roundup

After a busy summer across WWT’s reserves our teams have a long list of seasonal jobs to get through in preparation for the colder months ahead.

4 October 2022

Could our ancient floodplain meadows help turn the tide on our nature and climate emergencies?

Could our ancient floodplain meadows help turn the tide on our nature and climate emergencies?

The challenge is on. With the help of the Floodplain Meadows Partnership and a passionate bunch of volunteers we’re aiming to gather data from 1,000 hectares of floodplain grassland in the Severn and Avon Vales in a single season before the hay cut in J

2 July 2022

Restoring a flooded forest one seedling at a time

Restoring a flooded forest one seedling at a time

Cambodia is known as the kingdom of wetlands. Its seasonally flooded labyrinth of rivers, swamps and islands supports an extraordinary array of wildlife. Its waterways also provide a lifeline for millions, offering a place for people to live, work, travel

6 January 2022

Using ground-breaking technologies to show how biodiverse wetlands can be

Using ground-breaking technologies to show how biodiverse wetlands can be

WWT’s Laura Weldon, talks citizen science and the new technology that’s helping us monitor our more elusive wetland wildlife, why she champions our less cuddly wetland animals and how despite everything, she’s still hopeful for the future.

22 September 2021

75 years of wetland conservation

75 years of wetland conservation

On our 75th Anniversary we wanted to send you a special thank you. So to all our staff, volunteers, members and supporters and everyone who’s ever helped us champion wetlands over the years, this one’s for you…. It’s been an incredi

16 September 2021

Ten fascinating facts about WWT founder Sir Peter Scott

Ten fascinating facts about WWT founder Sir Peter Scott

Discover the fascinating story of Sir Peter Scott's life and learn about some of his more unusual achievements and passions, from his interest with the Loch Ness monster to the fish that shares his name.

10 September 2021

Why WWT Slimbridge is called the birthplace of modern conservation

Why WWT Slimbridge is called the birthplace of modern conservation

On a bright December morning in 1945 two men watched a large flock of geese feeding on the banks of the river Severn in Gloucestershire. As they watched they noticed that the flock contained several different species of geese.

7 September 2021

Lake of life: the biodiversity of Lake Sofia

Lake of life: the biodiversity of Lake Sofia

Around 200,000 species are known to be found in Madagascar, with many endemic to the island. Here we explore some of the biodiversity of the Lake Sofia site, and why this ecosystem is so important.

8 July 2021

How wetlands help keep rivers clean (and how you can too)

How wetlands help keep rivers clean (and how you can too)

How healthy is your local river? Would you know just by looking at it? Find out how what you can do if you suspect your stream has seen better days, and the role of wetlands in keeping our waterways clean.

1 July 2021

10 Biodiversity success stories from WWT Reserves in 2020

10 Biodiversity success stories from WWT Reserves in 2020

2020 was a tough year, but the results are in and we’re delighted to report that we have some stories of conservation optimism to share with you. Head of Reserves Emma Hutchins takes stock and reflects on the highlights of 2020 at our ten WWT wetland sit

9 March 2021

Wetlands of the World: The Yellow sea - a migration lifeline

Wetlands of the World: The Yellow sea - a migration lifeline

The Yellow Sea's vast intertidal wetland mudflats offer food-packed staging posts to waders and other birds in their countless thousands. Located between China and South Korea, it's a target for conservation because of its importance to migratory birds.

1 February 2021

Stories from the Russian Arctic

Stories from the Russian Arctic

With Bewick's numbers falling by 40 percent since the mid-1990s, and as many as a third having shotgun bullet pellets in their bodies, WWT has been working with the local community in their Russian breeding grounds to help conserve these endangered swans

13 January 2021

Lost species: how the UK was once a much wetter land

Lost species: how the UK was once a much wetter land

Thousands of years ago, lowland Britain would once have been a much wetter place. There would have been a lot more wetland habitat all over the lowlands, filled with species you might not expect to see roaming the UK in great numbers.

22 December 2020

Swanfall after a slow start to 2020

Swanfall after a slow start to 2020

Kane Brides and Steve Heaven update us on the - much later than expected, but nonetheless extremely welcome - influx of Bewick's swans to the UK this winter.

4 December 2020

Nights, camera, action! Device to record voyaging eels during hours of darkness installed at Gloucestershire reserve marking World Fish Migration Day

Nights, camera, action! Device to record voyaging eels during hours of darkness installed at Gloucestershire reserve marking World Fish Migration Day

A new acoustic camera has been fitted at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre to monitor eels embarking on their epic migratory voyage.

24 October 2020