
Humberhead Levels
Humberhead Levels
The Humberhead Levels is a naturally wet landscape where four of England’s major rivers meet, forming the Humber Estuary.
Made up of arable farmland, rivers and a patchwork of wetlands, the Levels are home to cranes, bitterns and marsh harriers, as well as otters and water voles.
However, large areas of the Levels’ important wetlands have been lost to drainage schemes which keep the landscape dry for farming. This has resulted in isolated areas which are too small and disjointed for wildlife to thrive.
Working with various partners under the Humberhead Levels Partnership, we want to create and restore ribbons of wetland habitats extending along the rivers and streams, linking the major wetlands in the Derwent Ings, Aire Valley, Humber Estuary and Thorne and Hatfield Moors.
Improving this landscape for nature will also increase the wellbeing of local communities and provide new opportunities for local businesses.
By restoring and creating wetlands we can reduce flood risk to property, helping farmers and wildlife in hot dry summers and lock up carbon dioxide, a gas known to contribute to climate change.
Downloads
PDF, 1.7Mb.
Water for Farmers and Wildlife - summary report.PDF, 4.8Mb.
Water for Farmers and WildlifePDF, 4.6Mb.
Water for Farmers and Wildlife – Phase 2PDF, 1.8Mb.
Water for Farmers and Wildlife - Phase 3PDF, 1.12Mb, Date: 2 September 2014
Futurescapes - Humberhead LevelsExplore the area
Find out what’s going on near this Futurescape, including places to visit, news and local events, plus how you can work or volunteer for us.
Nearby reserves
Reserves and other protected areas are a key part of Futurescapes. They provide core areas for nature to thrive and eventually repopulate the surrounding landscapes. The key RSPB reserves within this Futurescape are:
Blacktoft Sands
Come to Blacktoft Sands throughout the year and see how many of our 270 species of birds you can see! The tidal reedbed is the largest in England and is important for breeding bearded tits, bitterns and marsh harriers.
Fairburn Ings
With pond dipping, regular fun events and walks to help you get away from it all, RSPB Fairburn Ings is the ideal place for adults and children to discover more about the natural world.
St Aidan's
St Aidan's is a perfect place to relax, unwind or exercise in a stress-free environment and get up close to nature.
Our partners
Futurescapes is all about collaboration. There are many organisations and people involved in managing land in the Humberhead Levels. Our challenge is working together to find ways of making more space for nature. To achieve this we’re working with:
- Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
- English Heritage
- The Environment Agency
- Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Level Management Board
- Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
- Natural England
- North Lincolnshire Council
- Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
- Ouse and Humber Drainage Board
- Shire Group of Internal Drainage Boards
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Saving special places
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Rejecting aluminium from Ghana's Forests
As Ghana weighs economic benefits of mining bauxite for aluminum, multi-billion-dollar global companies support community groups calling for protection of critical forest. Natalie Hall, RSPB Senior Advisor for International Site Policy explains. Atew...
Posted 03/02/2021 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
Taking ‘Favourable Conservation Status’ out of the ‘too difficult’ box
Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) is a concept enshrined in international, European and national nature protection laws. Head of Sites Conservation Policy, Kate Jennings explains the idea of identifying what good looks like for habitats and s...(r...
Posted 13/02/2020 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
After the hurricane - Improving small island resilience and self-sufficiency in habitat monitoring and management in the UKOTS
Clearing up: Credit Louise Soames Blog by Lyndon John (RSPB) and Louise Soames The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season dealt devastating blows to the Caribbean region, particularly for the Caribbean UKOTs. The islands of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands.....
Posted 20/06/2019 by Heather Mitchell -
Victory for Harapan Rainforest
Beautiful Hutan Harapan forest is a precious remnant of the rainforest that once covered much of Sumatra (Photo: RSPB-images/Steve Roland) Hutan Harapan is one of the last remaining areas of dry lowland Sumatran forest and is among the most th...(r...
Posted 12/04/2019 by Heather Mitchell