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.