Charity to create second 'pioneering' nature reserve on River Severn
A conservation charity has announced it will buy land on the Severn Peninsula to create a pioneering nature reserve.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) has agreed to buy low-lying land in the Forest of Dean for a pioneering salt marsh restoration project.
The charity says it plans to create a new nature reserve, emulating the success of its flagship saltmarsh restoration site Steart Marshes, in Somerset.
It is hoped the site will be a haven for wildlife, a nature reserve for the community and a hub for research studying how saltmarshes store carbon, boost biodiversity and improve flood resilience.
The trust's deputy chief executive Kevin Peberdy said the site would serve as a local nature reserve but the charity wants to keep the area quiet.
"If inevitably people want to go and see it, we’ll make provision for that, maybe a small car park," he said.
"But this is not about drawing in lots of people. It’s quite the opposite, really. We want to try and keep it low key and quiet."
He said salt marshes like this one support a huge variety of wildlife, slow down flood water and store vast amounts of carbon.
Mr Peberdy added: "We are delighted that, following extensive research, early conversations with the local community, two public events and successful negotiations with landowners over the last two years, we have agreed the purchase of land on the peninsula.
"We believe this is the best site on the Severn Estuary for saltmarsh restoration to maximise the multiple benefits of wetlands for people and nature."
Credit: Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporting Service