Lower Stour Wetlands - Kent Wildlife Trust
The Lower Stour Wetlands contain some of Kent’s most extensive water and wetland habitats and have been classified as a Biodiversity Opportunity Area.
some of Kent’s most extensive water and wetland habitats
The Lower Stour Wetlands Living Landscape scheme is comprised of two projects:
A Wetland Vision for north east Kent. Funded by Natural England and the Environment Agency, this project worked with local landholders to create and restore 114 hectares of grazing marsh and establish a wetland bird monitoring programme
Saving the Shining Ram’s-horn snail. This endangered snail lives in unpolluted ponds and drains in grazing marsh habitat. Kent Wildlife Trust is assessing its current distribution, safeguarding existing populations and identifying sites suitable for re-introduction.
What’s happening?
Wetland Vision:
- The area of grazing marsh restored exceeded the original target (114 hectares compared to 100 hectares), of which 24 hectares is targeting breeding wading birds.
- The two initial farms entered into Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) have enhanced HLS including, for example, ditch management plans. Four more farms are now in HLS.
- The project has provided a good opportunity for the Trust and partners to work more closely with the local farming community.
Saving the Shining Ram's-horn snail
- Assessing current distribution
- Safeguard existing populations
- Identifying potential habitat enhancement/ditch and grazing marsh enhancement
- Tackling diffuse pollution to reduce algal blooms and the eutrophication (absorption of excessive levels of nutrients) cuasing them
- Identifying sites for potential re-introduction
Start date: 2009
Trust reserves within the scheme
Sandwich and Pegwell Bay, Ham Fen (only accessible via prior arrangement with Kent Wildlife Trust), two Roadside Nature Reserves
This scheme is helping species including...
Lapwing, water vole, shining ram’s-horn snail
Current threats to the landscape
Public pressure from disturbance and recreation/pollution
This scheme is also...
Helping wildlife adapt to climate change, improving water quality
Partners
Natural England, Environment Agency, RSPB, Internal Drainage Board, Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, Canterbury Christ Church University, England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative for the Stour.
To find out more
Email: info@kentwildlife.org.uk | Tel: 01227 719506 | Kent Wildlife Trust; Saving the Shining Ramshorn Snail
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