A substantial grant from the Viridor Credits Scheme earlier this year has enabled the National Trust to purchase the 103 acre Hurdle Hall Farm next to Burwell Fen.
This is part of our Wicken Fen Vision, a unique plan to create a 56 sq km landscape scale nature reserve between Cambridge and Wicken Fen. The Viridor Credits Scheme distributes money that Viridor would otherwise pay as Landfill Tax on rubbish it disposes at its landfill sites.
Speaking on the purchase of Hurdle Hall, Patrick Capper, Chief Executive of Viridor Credits said:
'The Wicken Fen Vision stood out as a worthy recipient of our Community Wildlife Award. Not only will our funds be used to protect and enhance one of the most biologically diverse areas in Europe but will also enable current and future generations to enjoy this wonderful and beautiful area.'
The purchase of Hurdle Hall will enable us to undertake habitat restoration work on Hurdle Hall and adjacent Burwell Fen to restore over 500 acres of former arable land to grazing marsh, wet woodland, reedbed and fen, priority habitats in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Wildlife won’t be the only benefactors, Viridor funds are also being used to create a new way marked walk, 'The Viridor Credits Walk' around Hurdle Hall and Burwell Fen. Starting from the Wicken Fen visitor centre, the 7 mile walk takes in Sedge, Bakers and Burwell Fens together with Hurdle Hall enabling visitors to view and learn about habitat management from the un- drained ancient Sedge Fen to land in various states of transition back to grazing marsh and Fen.
Chris Soans, Wicken Fen Property Manager said
'We are extremely grateful to Viridor for their support of the Wicken Fen Vision. The 'Viridor Credits Walk' will make a fantastic day out for all the family, a chance for some healthy exercise and a great opportunity to view the abundant wildlife that inhabits Wicken Fen and the Vision lands.'
|
