80 years ago on the banks of the River Severn in Gloucestershire, Sir Peter Scott founded WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Covering over 800 acres of internationally important wetlands, WWT Slimbridge now welcomes over 250,000 visitors a year and is a driving force for wetland conservation in the UK and beyond.
To mark this anniversary, as well as offering free admission on the 10 November we are hosting a series of events throughout its birthday week, including Heritage Afternoon Teas and Scott House Museum open house days so visitors can learn more about our fascinating history.
WWT, the wetland charity, was established alongside WWT Slimbridge on 10 November 1946. Its founder, Sir Peter Scott—son of Antarctic explorer, Captain Scott—was a well-known painter, broadcaster and Olympic sailing medallist. He had a fondness for the wild open marshes of Britain and the mysterious geese that visited from unknown shores.
His aim in creating WWT Slimbridge as a centre of science and conservation, was firstly to protect birdlife and waterfowl, and then later, their wetland habitats. Uniquely for the time, the centre was open to the public with the aim of bringing people closer to nature. Scott—described as the “patron saint of conservation” by Sir David Attenborough— understood that people and nature are part of the same intertwined ecosystem, and that those who care about nature will fight to conserve it.
In the past 80 years, WWT, the wetland charity, has created and protected thousands of hectares of wetlands around the world, saved species from extinction with ground-breaking conservation work, and has received over 40 million visitors to its ten wetland sites across the UK.
Looking ahead to the future, the wetland charity is continuing this work at pace and scale. Recently announcing a ground-breaking urban wetland project, Wetland Cities, which is supporting Bristol to become the UK’s first Wetland City. And on our coastlines, the charity is restoring lost saltmarsh, to provide incredible benefits to communities and wildlife. All the while, building a network of passionate supporters, and inspiring the next generation of wetland champions.
Find out more about our free admission offer and special events.
