Lincolnshire Wash Landscape Recovery
On the edge of The Wash in Lincolnshire, the RSPB and partners are developing a long-term vision for a landscape that delivers more for people and nature.
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With management control of around 3,000 hectares of farmland, nature reserve and saltmarsh, this is an ambitious, large-scale nature recovery project which aims to:
- Improve the condition of saltmarsh as wildlife habitat, flood defence and carbon store
- Expand areas for threatened wildlife by creating a mosaic of wetland habitats
- Create opportunities for people to benefit from the landscape in their work or leisure, boosting health, wellbeing and the local economy
The project vision is a wild landscape on the edge of The Wash, where wildlife thrives and people can connect with nature.
A Wildlife Haven
The Wash SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)
The Wash is one of the most important wetlands for wildlife in Europe, and the UK’s most important estuary for wild birds. It is internationally important, part of the proposed East Coast Flyway World Heritage Site, and truly one of the UK’s last great wildernesses.
Saltmarsh
The project includes 1,500 hectares of coastal saltmarsh of The Wash – around 4% of England’s total. Saltmarsh is a critically important habitat, natural local flood defence and - by naturally capturing carbon - a vital tool in tackling climate change. By bringing land managers together in a co-ordinated landscape-scale approach, we aim to improve management for the protection and enhancement of saltmarsh as both a carbon store and a habitat for species including Redshanks and Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Freshwater habitats
Centuries of drainage for agriculture and construction of sea walls has squeezed nature into ever smaller areas. At the heart of the project area is RSPB Frampton Marsh which, with roughly 500 pairs, supports more breeding wading birds than any other RSPB reserve in England. These numbers demonstrate the importance of freshwater habitats in this landscape.
By working with neighbouring farmers to expand the space for nature inside the sea walls, we aim to support globally significant numbers of resident, breeding and overwintering birds, including those adapting to climate change. The creation of wetland habitats inland will also help improve the flood resilience of this coastline.
Nature and Wellbeing
Larger, more connected, and better managed areas of wetlands and green space will have enormous gains for both nature and people. A core aim of the project is to make the landscape more accessible, so more people can experience the benefit of connecting to their local environment and nature for leisure or livelihood.
Working in existing local partnerships, we will:
- Improve access and accessibility of nature reserves, overcoming physical and other barriers
- Deliver RSPB Nature Prescriptions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those who would most benefit
- Create opportunities for people of all ages to connect to and appreciate nature and the local landscape
Local Economy
Alongside our ambitions both for nature restoration and community benefit, we aim to boost local livelihoods by developing work experience and volunteering programmes and catalysing nature-based business and employment opportunities.
We aim to stimulate the local visitor economy by attracting more people to experience the wonders - natural, cultural and historical - of this often-overlooked part of England’s east coast.
Pioneering Partnerships
The project is a partnership between conservation charities the RSPB and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and local farmers – from large scale agri-businesses to individual graziers.
Our community ambitions will be delivered in partnership with grassroots, local and national organisations and local authorities, with the needs and interests of local people at the heart.
For more information, contact the project team via Senior Project Manager zoe.gillard@rspb.org.uk.