Project

Wicken Fen Vision

Tall reeds (Phragmites australis) against a blue sky at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire. — Tall reeds at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

The Wicken Fen Vision is an ambitious plan for the next 75 years to create a diverse landscape for wildlife and people stretching from Wicken Fen to the edge of Cambridge. Find out how we plan to care for this rich oasis of wildlife, with more than 9,300 species recorded as living in this unique and special landscape.

Why we needed a plan for Wicken Fen

Less than 1 per cent of original fen survives in East Anglia, of which Wicken Fen is a fragment. Despite growing to 358 hectares (885 acres) by the end of the 20th century, the nature reserve was too small and isolated to guarantee the survival of all its rare and numerous species. It was also under pressure from the increasing number of people seeking its peace and tranquillity.

The Wicken Fen Vision

Launched in 1999, the Wicken Fen Vision is a 100-year plan to create a diverse landscape for wildlife, people and carbon; a historic landscape that will provide space in the modern world to breathe, think and explore.

By 2099, we will increase the nature reserve around Wicken Fen to an area of 53 square kilometres – an exciting and pioneering plan to take it into the next century.

An azure damselfly at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire. — An azure damselfly | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

Habitats and wildlife

To create an extensive landscape for wildlife that is sustainable and adaptable we will:

create more space for rare fenland as well as fen edge habitat and species, allowing wildlife to thrive and move across a fen landscape
work in partnership to create more spaces for habitat creation and public access
record and conserve important wildlife and landscape features

Access for everyone

To provide new and improved local green spaces for local people, we will:

inspire and connect people with nature, conservation and the landscape
deliver access and recreation opportunities that link with local communities
provide opportunities for learning and volunteering
protect the landscape and challenge decisions that may put our vision at risk

Carbon

Carbon sequestration - how are we going about it?

through large-scale peat and habitat restoration, creating fenland landscape resiliant to anticipated climate change
by working in partnership to protect and maintain more peat soils in good condition in order to reduce emissions

Visitors looking at maps of Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire. — Visitors looking at maps of Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images/John Miller

The first chapter of the Wicken Fen Vision

474 hectares of land purchased
Over 5,000 wintering waterfowl using this new habitat
48km of public access created or improved
2,000 hectares of peat soils in the Vision area
100+ konik poinies and highland cattle grazing
2 bridges built
65,000 people to the visitor centre each year (many more using the access network)
Lodes Way linked to National Cycle Network
Cycle hire opened

The Vision continues

After 25 years the need for the Vision is greater than ever before, with demands on our environment continuing to increase. The Wicken Fen Vision will deliver on a landscape scale to give nature the space it needs. It will continue to expand to create a healthy and beautiful natural environment that is bigger, better and more joined up for both wildlife and people.

We’re writing the next chapter in the story of a landscape that has evolved over centuries and we’d like you to be a part of this. Whether you’re a walker, farmer, cyclist, horse rider or birdwatcher; a volunteer, National Trust member, visitor or supporter; a councillor, business owner, teacher or community leader: whoever you are, you’re invited to be part of the Wicken Fen Vision. If you'd like to find out more about how you can get involved, do get in touch with us, drop by the visitor centre or follow our work on social media.