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Aims/Stages
The Project plans to create a Great Fen reserve in stages:
Stage 1: Restore Woodwalton and Holme Fens to favourable conservation status
During the winters of 2002/3 and 2003/4, Natural England undertook a large amount of scrub and tree management to connect the open habitats on the reserve together. This will enhance the value of the site and protect the most important habitats. In addition, consideration needs to be given to the use of Woodwalton Fen as a flood storage reservior. There is concern that this use is having a detrimental effect on some of the features of the site. The project partners will be working with the Middle Level Commissioners (who also sit on the steering group) to solve this problem.
Significant alterations to Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen took place during
2002/3/4 to remove invading scrub and trees and to install better visitor
facilities such as new bird hides.
Stage 2: Connecting Woodwalton Fen to Holme Fen
Joining these two sites together will remove the barrier that arable land presents to less mobile invertebrates and plants. The large area that will be created will provide more space for habitats and species and will enable a network of paths and watercourses to be developed. This will create a nature reserve of roughly 1500-2000 hectares, which would be one of the largest in lowland England.
The partnership is currently conducting consultation with local communities and undertaking further feasibility studies. More importantly it is discussing the project with farmers and other landowners within the project area. It is highly likely that the restoration of the area will require the acquisition of land in teh long term. This is the most cost effective way of achieving our goals.
Over the coming years the project will seek to acquire land as and when it comes on the market, or when farmers indicate an interest to negotiate with the project. If the project has funds it will approach landowners to initiate discussions. As land comes up for sale, the project will seek to acquire external funds to help with land purchase. The project can receive funds from sources such as the lottery, but requires matched funding for this purpose.
Stage 3: Enlargement
The final stage is to enlarge the reserve to roughly 3700 hectares and develop infrastructure such as visitor centres, boat moorings and cycle paths. The sheer size of the resulting reserve will ensure the future of this internationally important site. It will also provide an attraction for tourists from abroad.
