Essex Wildlife Trust is part of the Regional Water Vole Recovery Strategy 'Waterlife Recovery East'. In less than two years, invasive mink have been removed across 5,000km2 in East Anglia. We are hopeful that the core area of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk will become a pilot study for Natural England's national water vole recovery strategy.
Water vole © Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Did you know there are seagrass meadows growing in Essex? Unfortunately, these important habitats have faced many threats, and populations have declined. However, Essex Wildlife Trust has been delivering the ReMEDIES Save our Seabed Project. This year, our seagrass surveys began with a training session where volunteers and staff learnt the differences between seagrasses, and how to identify them. We will collect valuable data over the summer to help monitor these seagrass sites, and understand how we can best protect them.
Seagrass at St Lawrence when the tide is out.
Saltmarsh and mudflats define the Essex coastline. These intertidal zones are biodiverse and support many species, from wetland plants to birds of prey. Students at the University of Essex came to Abbotts Hall nature reserve, the Trust’s main office, to see saltmarsh restoration in action. Many different plant species were surveyed including sea lavender and sea purslane. Secondly, the students took samples from the five-year-old saltmarsh ‘sausages’. These structures are embedded into the saltmarsh to promote vegetation and sediment build-up. With their findings, students will continue to learn about the saltmarsh and how it supports wildlife.
Our conservation projects would not be possible without your support. Become a member of Essex Wildlife Trust today, and help us make conservation happen.
