March Update
Our new boardwalk is now open and Mount Union University students have completed a dragonfly-themed bridge on site.
You may have noticed our new boardwalk across the saltmarsh. This is open to visitors and can be accessed from the paths close to both the Mendip hide and Polden screen. Otterhampton Primary School recently visited to cut the ribbon and officially open it!
The boardwalk and information signs have been funded through our Species Survival Fund project Wetter for Waders, which sadly came to an end last month.
Please note the boardwalk will very occasionally be submerged on the highest tides marked yellow on our tide tables (on the ‘Visiting’ page of our website and around site). Wellies are advised while we wait for some coir matting to be added at either end of the boardwalk.
Many thanks to Joe Beaney for the drone photography.
Another project which has been completed this week is our new dragonfly hotspot bridge just past the roundhouse. This was funded, designed and built in 3 days by engineering students from Mount Union University, Ohio, USA. Two groups of students visited last year, and they asked if they could return and complete a project for us. It was a great success all round with the students learning throughout the process and we have ended up with a fantastic new bridge!
And finally, as part of the NLHF Connecting Coastal Communities Project we are busy booking in a Summer of Saltmarsh art workshops including willow, walk & draw, painting, clay, and print. You will be able to book these via our website and social media pages soon.
As part of the project we are also creating new saltmarsh courses with the Field Studies Council. There will be a 1-day course covering an introduction to saltmarsh, and a 2-day course covering specialist plant identification skills. These will be bookable for free in June and July for local residents. You can register an interest by emailing info.steart@wwt.org.uk
Dates for your diary: Dragonfly Day Sunday 7th June, Saltmarsh Day Thu 11th June – more details next time!
See our latest updates on @WWTSteartMarshes on Facebook and Instagram, or our website wwt.org.uk/steart
Contacts - Reserve Office: 01278 651090 info.steart@wwt.org.uk Duty Manager: 07717 505966
Site Manager: Alys Laver 07743 502525 alys.laver@wwt.org.uk
Engagement & Learning/CCC Project Manager: Nicole Turnbull 07717 342061 nicole.turnbull@wwt.org.uk
