Houghton Meadows Ouse Valley BCNP WT cpt Mark Ricketts
creating a network of species-rich flood meadows
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire
The slow-flowing River Ouse meanders through a landscape of flood meadows, grazing marsh and wet woodland, punctuated by gravel pits and market towns.
This scheme aims to create a network of species-rich flood meadows, floodplain grazing marsh and wet woodland alongside the Ouse Valley, from St Neots via Huntingdon and St Ives to the Ouse Washes.
This Living Landscape scheme will expand and link existing nature reserves and work in partnership with local authorities, local communities and others.
What’s happening?
We’re also working directly with the owners of Local Wildlife Sites, helping them to manage their land with nature firmly in mind.
Initiatives already under way, such as encouraging the creation of wet grassland for breeding and wintering waterbirds, and co-ordinating a seed harvesting initiative which takes seed from established old meadows and uses it to help restore flower-rich meadows, will mean that the Ouse Valley becomes a wildlife stronghold throughout its length.
Scheme area: 30,000 hectares
This scheme is helping species including...
Garganey duck, waders including black-tailed godwit, redshank and lapwing, little egret; snake’s-head fritillary, marsh dandelion and marsh and green-winged orchids; scarce chaser dragonfly and depressed river mussel.
Current threats to the landscape
Diffuse pollution, flood defence and navigation schemes
This scheme is also...
Helping wildlife adapt to climate change, reducing flood risk, improving access for people
Trust reserves within the scheme
Felmersham Gravel Pits, Pavenham Osier Beds, Houghton Meadows, Ouse Washes
Partners
Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Local Authorities, Anglian Water.
To find out more
Send an email | Tel: 01954 713500 | The Ouse Valley
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