850_0347_FSV2cov 9/8/06 11:58 Page 1 David Levenson (rspb-images.com)David Levenson FUTURESCAPES Large-scale habitat creation in Eastern

New nature reserves are good for people as well as wildlife – especially those in urban areas.

Our vision for the future Working in partnership

The RSPB is re-creating lost wildlife habitats – We are grateful for help from Government departments, a bold answer to decades of habitat loss. statutory agencies, local authorities and many individuals. Projects to create habitats for wildlife and people can take Many projects are underway already, as shown inside. They many years to develop and agree, requiring long-term include 104 hectares of coastal habitat, 1,331 hectares of planning and a consistent approach from Government. freshwater wetlands and 194 hectares of heathland. These The active support of local communities is crucial to the are part of a growing network of RSPB nature reserves in success of the projects. Local involvement ensures that new Eastern England covering some 11,000 hectares – an area nature reserves are an asset for wildlife and for people. nearly three times the size of Norwich. Many of the habitat creation projects have been made Other projects are in the pipeline, including the creation of possible by the help of project partners. Thanks to: intertidal habitat on the Essex coast and freshwater wetland on the coast. Basildon District Council, Boston Borough Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Thames Gateway As well as the benefits for wildlife, these wetlands will South Essex Greengrid Partnership, Defra, the benefit people through increased recreation and Environment Agency, Hanson Aggregates and Lafarge relaxation, by supporting jobs and by contributing to (Sandy Heath Quarry). local economies. In addition, generous funding from ALSF Partnership Grants Scheme through Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, Cleanaway Pitsea Trust, Department for Communities and Local Government’s For further information Thames Gateway Programme, East of England The RSPB, Eastern England Regional Office, Development Agency, the Hanson Environment Fund, Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1UD. Heritage Lottery Fund, Waste Recycling Environmental, Tel: 01603 661662 Waste Recycling Group and many others, including RSPB www.rspb.org.uk members and supporters, has been vital.

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a As a charity, the RSPB depends on the goodwill and financial healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping support of people like you. to create a better world for us all. Printed on environmentally-friendly paper Registered charity no 207076 Lakenheath Fen by Mike Page (rspb-images.com) 850-0347-06-07 850-0347-06-07FSV2in 9/8/06 11:59 Page 1

FUTURESCAPES realising a vision Chr i s Gomers The RSPB is changing the landscape of Eastern England to re-create lost

a habitats and to provide green spaces for people to enjoy wildlife. New wildlife ll (rspb- habitats that have been created or are in progress in the region cover 1,629 i m a

ges.com) hectares – 11 times bigger than London’s Hyde Park. We want to restore the abundance and variety of wildlife, making up for past losses. By making wildlife sites bigger and linking them together, we will provide vital ‘stepping stones’ to help wildlife adjust for climate change. We need to keep pace with At Berney Marshes, both newly created and better-managed areas of wet grassland attract breeding wading birds, such coastal erosion by replacing vulnerable freshwater habitats and saltmarsh. as lapwings and redshanks.

What the RSPB is doing Habitats already created or underway 1 RSPB Freiston Shore: intertidal habitat creation in RSPB projects in Eastern England Letting the sea breach the reserve has created 66 hectares of saltmarsh. One of the UK's largest ‘managed realignment’ projects, it’s a key part of the Environment Agency’s flood defence scheme protecting Boston and surrounding countryside. It benefits brent geese, Other RSPB nature reserves in Eastern England dunlins and , and attracts 50,000 visitors each year.

2 RSPB Frampton : wetland wonders We expect breeding wading birds, ducks and geese will flock to 170 hectares of new freshwater wetland, mostly wet grassland with a reedbed and a . Lincoln 3 RSPB Berney Marshes: more wet grassland Increasing numbers of lapwings and redshanks nest on 80 hectares of new wet grassland on former arable fields. This adds to restored wet grassland on the rest of the nature reserve where, in winter, thousands of wigeons, pink-footed geese, golden plovers and lapwings Titchwell Marsh benefit from careful management. Freiston Shore 1 4 RSPB Ouse Washes: a haven from the floods Frampton Marsh 2 Snettisham Wet grassland created on former arable land outside the Ouse Washes means nesting lapwings, Berney Marshes & Breydon Water redshanks and snipe have a refuge from regular spring and summer floods. Spalding 5 RSPB Lakenheath Fen: carrot fields to wetland Norwich Lakenheath Fen benefits marsh harriers, bearded tits, reed and sedge warblers, fen ragwort 3 and the marsh carpet moth. A new visitor centre and trails will help people enjoy a thriving nature reserve that covers 267 hectares. Nene Washes Mid-Yare Valley 6 Hanson-RSPB Wetland Project: the UK’s biggest reedbed Ouse Washes Lakenheath Fen We expect to attract bitterns, marsh harriers, bearded tits and otters to what will be the UK’s 4 5 Hanson-RSPB 6 biggest reedbed, which we are creating over 30 years after sand and gravel extraction at Wetland project Needingworth Quarry. Visitors will be able to enjoy 32 km of paths, bridleways and cycleways. Dingle Marshes 7 Minsmere 7 Suffolk coast: creating heathland and coastal habitats 8 Cambridge Hope Farm North Warren The rare stone-curlew has been attracted to 125 hectares of new grass heathland on the The Lodge Wolves & Suffolk coast. With the Forestry Commission, we are creating 26 hectares of heathland in 9 Fowlmere Ramsey Forest. Letting in the sea on a corner of Havergate Island has created new saltmarsh. Havergate Island & Boyton Marshes Stour 8 RSPB Hope Farm: helping farmland birds At our arable farm, we explore ways to improve the value of farmland to wildlife. ‘Skylark plots’, areas of bare ground in winter cereals, have boosted numbers of nesting skylarks. Colchester

9 RSPB The Lodge: heathland creation Old Hall Rye Meads Marshes We are doubling the amount of lowland heathland in Bedfordshire by restoring the equivalent of 137 football pitches over 10 years. We hope to attract Dartford warblers and nightjars.

10 South Essex: more coastal wetlands Rainham At Vange Marshes we are restoring coastal wetland and creating a saline lagoon that will Marshes benefit breeding wading birds and ducks in winter. At West Canvey Marsh, 150 hectares of dry 10 South Essex marshes grassland will be restored to a new wetland. These are part of a growing network of nature reserves in the Thames Gateway, accessible to 650,000 people.

The bittern has At Lakenheath Fen, come close to we dug 15 miles of L a extinction in the kenhe channels, created UK, mainly over 50 pools and a B th Fen by Andy H i

because of the ttern by Andy H planted more than destruction of its 300,000 reeds, habitat. A new helped by many reedbed at volunteers. This has Needingworth transformed carrot a a y (rspb- could provide a y (rspb- fields into an oasis home for about 20 for wildlife in just i i m breeding males. m 10 years. a a ges.com) ges.com) 850_0347_FSV2cov 9/8/06 11:58 Page 1 David Levenson (rspb-images.com) David Levenson FUTURESCAPES Large-scale habitat creation in Eastern England

New nature reserves are good for people as well as wildlife – especially those in urban areas.

Our vision for the future Working in partnership

The RSPB is re-creating lost wildlife habitats – We are grateful for help from Government departments, a bold answer to decades of habitat loss. statutory agencies, local authorities and many individuals. Projects to create habitats for wildlife and people can take Many projects are underway already, as shown inside. They many years to develop and agree, requiring long-term include 104 hectares of coastal habitat, 1,331 hectares of planning and a consistent approach from Government. freshwater wetlands and 194 hectares of heathland. These The active support of local communities is crucial to the are part of a growing network of RSPB nature reserves in success of the projects. Local involvement ensures that new Eastern England covering some 11,000 hectares – an area nature reserves are an asset for wildlife and for people. nearly three times the size of Norwich. Many of the habitat creation projects have been made Other projects are in the pipeline, including the creation of possible by the help of project partners. Thanks to: intertidal habitat on the Essex coast and freshwater wetland on the Suffolk coast. Basildon District Council, Boston Borough Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Thames Gateway As well as the benefits for wildlife, these wetlands will South Essex Greengrid Partnership, Defra, the benefit people through increased recreation and Environment Agency, Hanson Aggregates and Lafarge relaxation, by supporting jobs and by contributing to (Sandy Heath Quarry). local economies. In addition, generous funding from ALSF Partnership Grants Scheme through Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust, Department for Communities and Local Government’s For further information Thames Gateway Programme, East of England The RSPB, Eastern England Regional Office, Development Agency, the Hanson Environment Fund, Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1UD. Heritage Lottery Fund, Waste Recycling Environmental, Tel: 01603 661662 Waste Recycling Group and many others, including RSPB www.rspb.org.uk members and supporters, has been vital.

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a As a charity, the RSPB depends on the goodwill and financial healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping support of people like you. to create a better world for us all. Printed on environmentally-friendly paper Registered charity no 207076 Lakenheath Fen by Mike Page (rspb-images.com) 850-0347-06-07