What's Happening Now

The Great Fen vision may take generations to achieve, but already there is a great deal happening on the ground.

Events and places to visit

Visiting today you will find thousands of wildlife species, beautiful landscapes and plenty of events and places to enjoy, including Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen National Nature Reserves, the Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre and restored areas such as Darlow's Farm and Great Fen Information Point (New Decoy Farm).

See our Events Programme or Visit section for more details on what to see and do at the Great Fen.

Land restoration

From reedbeds to meadows, there are now more than 2140 acres (866 hectares) of land in restoration and 3310 acres (1340 hectares) managed for nature conservation (including the two national nature reserves of Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen). By the end of 2013 there will be 3750 acres (1519 hectares) managed for nature conservation. We continue to see increasing numbers of wildlife, from breeding barn owls, kestrels, lapwing and snipe at Darlow's Farm, to rare plants and invertebrates found on Summer Standing and Middle Farm.

Find out more about areas of land under restoration and farming and how the land is restored.

Supporting communities and schools 

Working with and supporting over 100 active volunteers, the Great Fen team works with thousands of people each year.

As well as events, the team runs interactive schools programmes for all ages, a range of walks, talks and visits for groups, and many other community projects, including film, photo and audio projects.

Discover more about work for People and Communities at the Great Fen.

The four project aims are: Land restoration and habitat creation; access and enjoyment; socio-economic development; and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

•  A mosaic of habitats is being created across the Great Fen, such as Rymes Reedbed next to Holme Fen. This process will continue throughout the lifetime of the Great Fen.
•  Discussions are taking place with local people and user groups to open up walking, cycling and bridleway access routes into and around the Great Fen.
•  The Great Fen is currently undertaking work to look at how economic benefit and social wellbeing can be delivered to local people, businesses and farmers.
•  Plans are also being developed for a visitor centre in the heart of the Great Fen, which will attract visitors and businesses to the area.
•  The partners are exploring how the Great Fen can help mitigate the effects of climate change (such as winter floods) by planning flood protection areas within the Great Fen, to protect the surrounding community, farms and businesses.

It will take some years to achieve these aspects of the Great Fen and the project aims but the planning is already well underway.