Wantsum Wetlands
The acquisition and restoration of 130ha of grazing marsh, wetlands and relic fen in East Kent. Part of an interlinked network of internationally important wetlands and close to Kent Wildlife Trust’s Ham Fen Nature Reserve - the first site in the UK where beaver were reintroduced.
Cost
Funded
Hectares
tCO2e
(Over 50 years)

Project Vision
Wantsum Wetlands Nature Recovery Network
The acquisition and reversion of 130 ha of land into fenland habitat.
This project is a key component in the Wansum Wetlands Nature Recovery Network linking exiting complexes of sites in the Ham peat basin to surrounding wetland areas providing ecological connectivity, opportunities for wilding approaches and with significant long-term sequestration of carbon through lowland peat restoration.

The Aim
Re-wild & Re-wet
This supports the KWT led vision for a WilderKent, using (re)wilding opportunities and natural regeneration and wetting of land through the reintroduction of species including beavers,re-naturalising of water features and extensive grazing. This area is a nationally important site for the very rare shining rams-horn snail a hotspot for turtle doves and water vole. Peat is one of the highest carbon sequestering habitats, meaning this project delivers long-term carbon impacts and spectacular wildlife gains.

Speak to our Delivery Team
Our delivery team consists of in-house experts who can talk to you about your Wilder Carbon investment.
- Evan Bowen JonesManaging Director
- Paul HadawayHead of Implementation
- Sarah BrownlieProject Manager
- Dan WynnHead of NBS
- Ross JohnsonNBS Manager
- Robbie StillDigital Development Manager
Other Projects
- Ready NowSomerset Levels – Somerset Wildlife Trust
Honeygar Farm
Read more →The acquisition and restoration of 80ha at a former dairy farm in the heart of the Somerset Levels. This project will include the restoration of grazing marsh, wetlands and relic fen and as a demonstration of delivering nature-based solutions. Part of an interlinked network of internationally important wetlands forming the Avalon Marshes area of Somerset’s Levels and Moors.
- In DevelopmentKent – Kent Wildlife Trust
Wilder Blean Woods Complex
Read more →The acquisition and restoration over time of 1500ha of wood pasture, wet woodland and broadleaved woodland through natural regeneration. Linked to the pioneering first use of European bison as woodland graziers in the UK.
- Research & DevelopmentEast Kent - Kent Wildlife Trust
Mercer's Farm
Read more →Kent Wildlife Trust recently acquired an area of relic fen bordering its Ham Fen Nature Reserve. This extension to the fen is being re-wetted using a combination of natural ecosystem engineers - beaver and water buffalo. We need investment to develop our monitoring and remote sensing capability on this site – enabling the most accurate monitoring of the carbon storage increase on the site and the wildlife it supports.