October Update
This month we welcome a new defribillator, community bus and gabion benches.
WWT Steart Marshes will Connect Coastal Communities (CCC) with help from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This £300k project will connect people with nature, culture and history in new and exciting ways… 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.”
We will be developing educational materials for all ages, an interactive audio trail, community art and music workshops, and two new viewing platforms overlooking wetland areas improved under the current Species Survival project on Otterhampton and Stockland Marshes (they will probably already be out there when you read this!) Look out for the new gabion basket benches which are being installed around the site, all funded by CCC, and built to last!
The art and learning projects will help to 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. 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, including Bridgwater Arts Centre and Watchet East Quay.
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 has a fascinating history including the Romans in Britain and World War II. We want to invite our community, especially younger people, to rediscover their connections to the coast and to experience this spectacular saltmars
We have recently started conducting earthworm surveys on the reserve, as part of our Species Survival Fund project. WWT volunteers helped with collecting samples on the saltmarsh. The surveys will help us to find out more about this understudied group and the availability of this food source for many species, including owls, wading birds and great crested newts.
A British Heart Foundation funded community defibrillator installed in our main car park. In the event of an emergency dial 999 and you will be given the location of your nearest defibrillator.
BHF’s medical experts have created a digital training tool, RevivR. This teaches you vital CPR skills and how to use a defibrillator in just 15 minutes on your mobile phone or tablet. It will take you through a real-life scenario, so you feel prepared for an emergency. You never know when you'll need to give someone CPR. Start your RevivR training today: revivr.bhf.org.uk
Did you know you can now book the Slinky Bus to Steart Marshes? Anyone can register to use the service, regardless of residency. To find out more download the Sedgemoor South information sheet here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/.../slinky-digital-sedgemoor/ . Please note that only Somerset-issued bus passes can be used for discretionary travel.
