Visionary Nature Conservation Project Marks 10th Anniversary

Space to breathe for people and wildlife
Space to think about our planet and our future
Space to explore on foot, bike, horse or boat

To celebrate the 10TH anniversary of the Wicken Fen Vision public admission to the National Trust's Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire, will be free on Friday 1 May. During the day the will be a host of free activities and events including guided walks, boat trips, cycle rides, illustrated talks, bug hunts and pond dipping for the public to enjoy.

The Wicken Fen Vision is a 100 year project by the National Trust to create a landscape scale nature reserve and green lung for Cambridgeshire and the East of England, covering 53 sq km, from the existing Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve to the outskirts of Cambridge. The Vision will see the re-creation of a mosaic of fenland habitats to help protect and conserve endangered species of wildlife whilst providing a vast area for public access for leisure, relaxation, exercise and education.

Wicken Fen is the National Trust's oldest and the most species-rich nature reserve in Britain, home to over 8,000 species of wildlife. Today Wicken Fen sits surrounded like an 'island in a sea of intensive agriculture' and towards the end of the 20th century it was evident that the long term future of the reserve and the many rare and endangered species it supports was in serious doubt. The ambitious and foresighted solution adopted by the National Trust was to create a landscape scale nature reserve by acquiring agricultural land for nature conservation.

During the last decade over 400 hectares of land has been purchased and the process has begun of returning this land to natural fenland habitats with new access for visitors. To date over £5million has been raised from private donations, charitable trusts, Government and European grants and lottery funding. Extensive consultation has been held with local communities, users, elected representatives and statutory authorities throughout the development and implementation of the Vision.

Commenting on the 10th anniversary of the Vision, National Trust Director General Dame Fiona Reynolds said:

"The Wicken Fen Vision is the most ambitious and far reaching project undertaken by the Trust in modern times. It is a fantastic example of the Trust and our volunteers working with local communities and government at every level to create a unique place that will be enjoyed by the public for generations to come".

Chris Packham, naturalist and BBC Spring Watch presenter who recently became Patron of the Wicken Fen Vision said:

"The development of landscape scale nature reserves is the way forward in helping to ensure the survival of many of our countries' rare and endangered species. The Vision is a farsighted project by the National Trust to re-create wetland habitats for the long term benefit of wildlife and humans in a region under intense pressure from development. I'm greatly encouraged by what has been achieved in the last decade."

Public access to the countryside is at the heart of the Wicken Fen Vision. The enlarged nature reserve will provide a green lung for Cambridgeshire and the East of England, one of the fastest growing regions in the United Kingdom. Substantial growth is forecast for the Cambridge Sub Region with provision for 47,500 new homes to be built by 2016 and a population increase of 130,000 expected in the next 20 years. The Vision has been identified as being regionally significant for the provision and enhancement of green infrastructure with the Governments Spatial Strategy for the East of England. The development of spine route from Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey in the South with onward links to Cambridge will open up a vast network of paths and trails for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to explore the vision lands.

The National Trust is working with a number of strategic partners to develop the Vision including the Department for Communities and Local Government, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge Horizons, Environment Agency and sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Commenting on the 10th anniversary of the Vision John Onslow, Director for Development, Cambridge Horizons said:
"The Wicken Fen Vision is an ambitious project that will improve wildlife habitats, make it easier for people to get out into the countryside for quiet recreation and link historic sites. As the population of Cambridgeshire continues to grow, we need projects like the Wicken Fen Vision to ensure a good quality of life for both new and existing residents. Cambridgeshire Horizons is a keen supporter of the Wicken Fen Vision, and we look forward to seeing the Vision continue to develop in the future".

Geoff Brighty, Environment Agency Area Manager, said:

"We are delighted to work with the National Trust on the Wicken Fen Vision and congratulate them on the excellent progress made so far. The creation of fenland habitats, better access and the ability to help combat climate change are all benefits of the Wicken Fen Vision and together with the National Trust, we can help create a better place for everyone"

Nigel Brigham, Regional Manager for Sustrans said:

"Sustrans have been delighted to be involved with the Wicken Fen Vision since the early days, when we were encouraged to route the National Cycle Network through the area until the present day with the Connect2 project. Good walking and cycling links between the countryside and neighbouring towns and villages are vital and Sustrans is thrilled that the National Trust has embraced the challenge so enthusiastically in the Wicken Fen Vision".

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Notes to Editors
1. Public admission to the reserve will be free on Friday 1May, the programme of free activities and events are:

2. Wicken Fen has been under the care and protection of the National Trust since 1899. The reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, a Special Area for Conservation and an international Ramsar Wetland. 8111 species have been recorded at Wicken Fen, making it the most species rich single nature reserve in the country.

3. The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation organisation and looks after special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for ever, for everyone. People and places are at the heart of everything it does. 3.5 million members, 50,000 volunteers, 500,000 school children, and millions of visitors, donors and supporters help the Trust look after its 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside. www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Further Information
For further information please contact: Howard Cooper, Communications Officer, Wicken Fen Tel 01353 720274 Mobile 07826 874133 or e-mail howard.cooper@nationaltrust.org.uk or see www.wicken.org.uk