'Adopt a Plot' at Wicken Fen set to help restore nature

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Almost half of all species are in decline, with 15% at risk of extinction. Nature gives us life: through the supply of clean water, the pollination of crops and the air that we breathe.

Adopt a Plot is a new way to fundraise for the National Trust, where you can help restore nature across whole landscapes at six specially chosen nature super sites.

Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of the six nature super sites, and the oldest nature reserve in the charity’s care. Donations will help renew nature across Wicken Fen’s landscapes, helping to fund habitat restoration and carbon capture projects.

The National Trust’s oldest nature reserve, Wicken Fen is one of Europe’s most important wetlands, supporting an abundance of wildlife including a spectacular array of plants, birds and dragonflies. Over 9,000 different species have been recorded on the nature reserve. The Wider Wicken Fen Vision is an ambitious landscape-scale conservation project opening up new areas of land, providing spreading space for nature and for people to explore.

National Trust Director-General Hilary McGrady says: “Today, nature is declining before our eyes and climate is threatening habitats on a colossal scale. So, we will significantly step up our efforts to restore nature. We are pledging to inspire more people to take action to protect the things we all need to thrive.”

Wicken Fen General Manager Emma Ormond-Bones says: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the National Trust’s nature super sites. It is testament to how brilliant Wicken Fen is for nature and how key our work to restore habitats and capture carbon is on a national scale.”

Emma continues: “At Wicken Fen, we are passionate about connecting visitors to nature and sharing the importance of the landscape with everyone.

“By donating to Adopt a Plot, people anywhere in the country can help us to look after this very special nature reserve and continue to undertake ambitious restoration projects to safeguard tomorrow’s wildlife. This has never been more important than now.”

Donations will help fund nature conservation across Wicken Fen, including their peatland restoration project. Hundreds of acres of peatland are being restored to retain rainwater and manage water tables. Keeping peatlands in a healthy, saturated state enables them to store carbon, help control flooding, reduce wildfire risk and drought, and provide important habitat for waterbirds. Other projects on the nature reserve include creation of habitat for turtle doves, one of the UK’s most vulnerable bird species, as well as keeping the historic, undrained Fen in prime condition for a plethora of rare wetland wildlife.

Adopt a Plot is a small way for people to take a big step towards helping to restore nature. Donors will be sent a digital certificate and regular updates to see how their support is helping to protect and restore nature at their chosen site.

Find out more about Adopt a Plot and donate here: Adopt a Plot | Nature restoration | National Trust

Wicken Fen nature reserve, visitor centre, gift shop and the Docky Hut Cafe are open daily to visitors. There is a fully accessible boardwalk and a program of events throughout the year. Boat trips and cycle hire will be available from 10th March onwards. And, from 18th July, there will be a new sound art trail, connecting visitors to nature through sound – this is part of Listen to the Voices of the Fen, a project by artist Kathy Hinde in partnership with the National Trust and Babylon Arts, supported by funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.