          |
News |
Partnership creates new nature reserveLast modified: 25 June 2009
A unique partnership between the RSPB and Veolia Environmental Services is delivering a new 270 hectare wetland nature reserve on the south Essex marshes. The two organisations have signed a 150-year peppercorn lease on land adjoining Veolia's Pitsea landfill site. We'll manage the land to develop a sustainable wetland system with a range of habitats including extensive wet grassland, a tidal lagoon, scrapes and saltmarsh. An existing reedbed will also be extended. The new habitats will attract birds including bitterns, redshanks and lapwings, as well as large numbers of waterfowl and spectacular wading birds like the black tailed godwit. Water voles, great crested newts and a wide variety of invertebrates will also make their homes on the new marshes where new public access will create opportunities for quiet recreation and exploration of the natural world. Paul Levett, Deputy Chief Executive of Veolia Environmental Services, said: 'We have worked closely with the RSPB in south-east Essex for nearly a decade. Within Basildon and Castle Point, the Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust has contributed over £500,000 towards the purchase of nearly 258 hectares of land at West Canvey Marshes, public access and other infrastructure improvements at Vange Marshes and the employment of a full time RSPB Wildlife and People's Project Officer. 'Another 550 hectares of land for nature conservation and public access will mean we can make a real difference – for wildlife and for people' 'The land covered by this new lease will form part of the 15 square kilometre 'green lung' of the South Essex Marshes. We welcome the active involvement of the RSPB in building on the 20 years of restoration already completed at our Pitsea landfill.' Chris Corrigan, the RSPB's Regional Director, South East Regional Office, added: 'We are extremely excited by our partnership with Veolia and this significant and very welcome opportunity to extend our existing interests in the area at West Canvey and Vange Marshes. Another 550 hectares of land for nature conservation and public access will mean we can make a real difference to the living landscape of south Essex – for wildlife and for people. This is a marvellous contribution to the South Essex Greengrid and Thames Gateway Parklands. 'This is a long-term commitment by Veolia and the RSPB and shows how waste management and nature conservation organisations can work together for the good of our environment, our wildlife and our communities.' John Baron, MP for Billericay and District also endorses the project: 'Too often we see the over-development of our green spaces, so congratulations to Veolia and the RSPB for conserving the natural environment and encouraging local wildlife. The new project will be a fun resource for the whole family and help to raise awareness of conservation issues. This ambitious scheme will really help to put the Essex Marshes back on the map.' Veolia is currently working on a restoration master plan for its Pitsea site, with a range of stakeholders including RSPB. The site will be restored for a variety of nature conservation uses including grassland and flower rich meadows, to support diverse invertebrate and reptile communities as well as species such as nationally rare species brown hare and skylark. The restored site will be developed and managed for public access by the RSPB and will provide magnificent views over the entire marshland area. |
Nature reserves |
Curlew feeding in grassy field - Steve Round
Red admiral on Michaelmas daisy - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)