WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Background

• EA required to compensate for loss of internationally important intertidal habitat

• Steart peninsula identified as potential site large enough to deliver objective

• at 500ha it’s the largest wetland habitat creation scheme in the UK

• in Sept 2009 WWT successful in bid to manage site after works complete

• a site that demonstrates good practice and exemplar of wetland creation, climate adaptation and people engagement.

• integration into Project Team – advisory role on habitat design and visitor management

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Background

• 2009: initial designs; extensive stakeholder consultation begins

• 2010: preferred option presented to stakeholders

• 2011: trail embankment built; EPS mitigation & archaeological work begins

• 2012: planning approved by Sedgemoor District Council; construction starts

• 2013: construction new flood banks completed; hand-over to WWT

• 2014: opened as WWT Steart Marshes; paths finished; breach completed

• 3km of new creek; 5km of new embankment

• 0.5 million m3 of excavated material

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Inter-tidal habitat

• a change in landscape from improved pasture/cultivated land to saltmarsh

• accretion will allow for the natural development of dynamic intertidal habitats

• benefit to specialised plants, migratory waterfowl and fish

• some areas will inundate infrequently and resemble permanent pasture

• a working landscape underpinned by an extensive grazing system

• over 300ha of saltmarsh providing a living, natural flood defence

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Functional freshwater wetlands

• improved storage capacity within local IDB rhyne network

• ability to store flood water within ‘higher catchment’

• safe visitor access to enhanced wetland landscape

• 150ha mosaic of wildlife-rich freshwater wetlands

• integral part of a wider local landscape: Bridgwater Bay and Pawlett Hams

• a refuge for species such as great crested newt, water vole and otter

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

People and Wildlife

• continue to forge strong links with local residents and Parish communities

• enhanced visitor experience through provision of safe coastal access

• over 10km of new multi-use paths including regional & national coastal trails

• develop opportunities for volunteering, skills learning and research

• WWT staff presence: site manager and community engagement

• provide access to nature through appropriate levels of interpretation, wardened

activities and self guided trails to focal observation points

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Constraints and design

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Vision, changes and management

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Construction

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Computer aided design

Breach completion

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Reserve enhancements

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Survey, monitoring, review and adaptation

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

Learning, engagement, training and volunteering

WWT Steart Marshes – a wetland working for people and wildlife Tim McGrath

http://steart.wwt.org.uk/

https://twitter.com/WWTSteart

https://www.facebook.com/wwtsteartmarshes

Communications

“We need to be brave and bold if we are going to deal with the

impacts of climate change. WWT Steart Marshes proves you can

protect homes and businesses by using wetland technology that

works with nature, not against it.”

WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray CBE