Cowles Drove extension to RSPB Lakenheath Fen

In 2023 the RSPB began work reverting 67 hectares of arable land back to wetland which helps enlarge the existing reserve to a total of 490ha.

The project aims to create fen and wet and dry grassland on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and to protect the remaining carbon held in the peat-based soils of these fields. When the land was being farmed, the peat had oxidised, releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

The land lies within the Fens National Character Area with fen and wet grassland being priority habitats.  The previously created nature reserve at Lakenheath, begun in 1995, now qualifies as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Common Crane, Eurasian Bittern and Western Marsh Harrier (but has yet to be designated).

Who’s Involved?

RSPB is the landowner and project manager of this scheme which has been funded by a donation from the Morgan Sindall Group. The RSPB is also part of the Fens East Peat Partnership (FEPP). The Lakenheath Fen project contributes to a larger effort to restore peatland sites in low-lying areas across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. FEPP received grant aid from the Natural England Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.

Consultation has involved King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council, Southery and District Internal Drainage Board (IDB), Environment Agency, Natural England, neighbouring landowners and the Ministry of Defence.

What Have They Achieved?

  • 67 ha of arable land has been restored back to fen and wet and dry grassland
  • We have raised the water levels across a wider 118 ha area to prevent peat erosion and carbon release
  • New habitat has begun to be used by wading birds, water fowl and egrets.
  • Cattle grazing on the land has commenced

How Do They Do It?

The project started with extensive survey work to measure soil quality, peat depth, protected species and vegetation of the fields and ditches. We made use of existing data on peat depth, water transport through the soil and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) topography

Water levels were raised by damming internal ditches and installing water control structures (including 7 sluices and 16 culverts) as well as removing field drains to prevent water loss, and the re-routing of an IDB drain.

Badgers and Water Voles were relocated and new habitat was created for them.

Manual dipwells and auto-loggers were installed for ongoing monitoring of water levels and surface level change rods to monitor peat depth.

What’s Next?

  • Installation of additional stock fencing.
  • Installation of an electric pump (and its connection to the grid),  to maximise the movement of water for our target habitats (fen and wet grassland) and species (waders, egrets, crakes, cranes).
  • Finishing the validation process by the IUCN Peatland Code
  • Continue ongoing monitoring of the water, species and habitat
  • Registering the land (where eligible) for Biodiversity Net Gain
  • In the longer term, we will install predator exclusion fencing around one field
  • Much of the work to date has been done by contractors or RSPB staff but as the site transitions into more regular maintenance work RSPB will make increasing use of its volunteer team to assist with managing the land.

Nature Based Solutions (NbS) in the Upper Cam Valley

The construction and monitoring of runoff attenuation features (RAFs) aims to provide further evidence of the benefits of NbS measures for water security and allow the ground truthing of the Environment Agency’s NbS for water availability mapping and modelling conducted in 2022-2023 for the Cam catchment.

Monitoring will assess RAFs for:

  • Changes in seepage, groundwater recharge and evaporation processes to support water resources;
  • The identification of any changes in surface water flow regimes from sub-headwater catchments to support water resources.

As well as supporting base flows, RAFs offer the potential to:

  • Reduce the chance of downstream flooding;
  • Reduce nutrient loads in waterbodies;
  • Mitigate soil and carbon losses, by raising water tables and keeping soils wetter;
  • Improve visual amenity and potentially access to nature in the farmed landscape;
  • Support biodiversity recovery through creating corridors of small wetlands.

The project is in its early stages, with the aim to install the first few RAFs by September 2024. However, as an overview, the modelling conducted to date suggests, RAFs covering just 0.14% of the catchment (approximately 400 RAFs) could increase long-term baseflow by 8.1 megalitres of water per day. The project is looking to validate these modelled results via comprehensive monitoring.

More information: https://wre.org.uk/nbs-field-trials-in-the-upper-cam-valley/

Cambridge Nature Network

In May 2021 the Cambridge Nature Network was launched with a long-term vision for Cambridge to have significant areas of downland, fens, meadows, waterways and woodlands around it, where nature can recover and thrive and where people can experience a wilder countryside and nature on their doorstep.

Soon after, funding was secured from the government’s Green Recovery Fund (£249k) and Natural England’s Nature Recovery Programme (£238k) and this has helped to drive the Cambridge Nature Network vision. The grants are helping to support 24 nature recovery projects, of which 18 are at or near completion.

The range of organisations and people involved in these projects is really inspiring, it includes local charities, local councils, community groups, local landowners, schools, contractors and individual people helping to plant trees and sow seeds.

The projects range from creating new woodlands, wetlands and meadows, to working with school children to provide nature in their grounds, to helping landowners and communities take their own action and connecting people to nature through a Cambridge Nature Festival.

More information: https://cambridgenaturenetwork.org/

Strategic Investment in Landscape-scale Connectivity

National Highways and Network Rail have put forward a proposal to connect nature across road and rail infrastructure on a national level to aid landscape scale nature recovery. Together, they have produced a business case for strategic investment in landscape scale connectivity. Interventions funded by the business case could include:

  • Green bridges;
  • Wildlife underpasses;
  • Replacing old culverts with single span bridges;
  • Species-specific crossing features, e.g. dormouse bridges or amphibian tunnels.

In partnership with each district and the County local authority Ecology Group, five locations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been identified for potential future strategic crossings in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These could play an important role in addressing severance across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Future Fens: Integrated Adaptation

The project is taking place on the landscape scale, covering the Fenland region. The entire landscape is below 6m AOD, and contains 17,000 flood risk and water level management assets.

Facing the challenges of sea-level rise, drought, and flood risk, the Fens are the most vulnerable area of the UK to climate change. To help adapt our environment and communities to this growing threat, FF:IA is working with 70+ stakeholder organisations who provide a variety of expertise and priorities. This affords the group a unique ability to holistically assess what this landscape requires. Consequently, FF:IA understands that nature recovery is intricately related to health, transport, socioeconomic development etc., and so our method to recovery is not a siloed approach.

An example of this cross-disciplinary method is the Transition Lab, which will align economic development with nature recovery. Currently in its’ early stages, this specific work will open the opportunity for private investment to directly establish landscape scale transformations. This is a pioneering approach to delivering green infrastructure and nature recovery, that has not yet been achieved elsewhere in England.

  • c.£1.3 million of funding has been secured by FF:IA so far
  • 70+ organisations are involved

More about the project can be found here: www.awinnovationhub.co.uk/project/future-fens-integrated-adaptation-ffia/

The Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme

Location: Great Fen, Wicken Fen and Chippenham Fen

At the Great Fen,  Wicken Fen and Chippenham Fens, Natural England, National Trust, and Wildlife Trust, aim to create saturated, healthy peat, helping to lock in carbon as well as enhancing habitats for nature.  Degrading lowland peat soils are among the largest sources of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.   Peatland restoration is vital as without action, most of the remaining peat in the Fens could be lost within 30 years.

NCPGS is providing several million pounds to restore approx. 600ha peat forming vegetation in Cambridgeshire to be delivered by March 2025.

Natural England, at Holme Fen NNR are finding restoration mind boggling complex, with permissions, licences and ensuring no increase in flooding to nearly properties or infrastructure.  Over many years  the site drainage will be reduced  and the existing peat will be  re-wet.

The National Trust at Wicken Fen are restoring peat forming vegetation on three key areas within the reserve by repairing and installing low-level clay banks to retain rainwater and managing water tables.

 

Ouse Washes

Location: 4,400ha of Ouse Washes SSSI and surrounding landscape in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk

A vision for a farmer-led approach to landscape recovery, where partners from the conservation, farming, business, drainage board, academic, local government, and community sectors act together to support the recovery of nature and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Through project partners securing private investment in ecosystem services to maximise the benefits of public investment, we will ensure that environmental outcomes and farm businesses will be sustained in tandem in the long-term.

Habitats will be created and improved to a consistently high standard; peat-soils will be safeguarded for future generations, and farms financed for delivering restorative land management.

This will enable the Ouse Washes and the species that rely on it to be better protected and insulated against ecological challenges through at least 1,000ha of targeted habitat creation in the landscape area and will reduce carbon emissions through changing practices, raising water levels and safeguarding soils.

The project will also provide opportunities for communities to better engage and connect with our landscape.

 

Greater Cambridge Chalk Stream Project

Project begins April 2025

The Greater Cambridge Chalk Stream Project (GCCSP) is a focused case study initiative aimed at restoring and protecting some of Cambridgeshire’s most vulnerable chalk streams. These rare, spring-fed rivers support unique ecosystems and provide vital water resources—but are increasingly under pressure from pollution, sedimentation, low flows, and habitat loss.

The GCCSP takes an evidence-based approach, using selected demonstration sites to understand the sources of degradation and evaluate the impact of in-channel restoration. Each site will undergo detailed pre- and post-project monitoring to build a clearer picture of ecological change and the effectiveness of interventions.

In collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University, the project will carry out weekly water quality monitoring at six sites, blending citizen science and academic research. This work will generate local, high-resolution data to pinpoint water quality issues and guide future action.

Importantly, each site will act as a living laboratory, where communities, councils, and decision-makers can come together to collect robust data, raise awareness, and promote the long-term protection of our chalk streams. The goal is to shift restoration from isolated efforts to a coordinated, evidence-driven model.

Key project aims include:

  • Identifying specific pollution sources and water quality pressures
  • Testing and refining in-channel habitat restoration techniques
  • Collecting continuous environmental data to inform future management
  • Showcasing regenerative farming practices that support aquifer health
  • Empowering local communities through education and citizen monitoring

Sites include rural stretches of the River Granta in Linton and Abington, urban streams like Hobson’s Brook, Coldham’s Brook, and Cherry Hinton Brook, as well as springhead sites and a regenerative farming demonstration at New Shardelowes Farm.

By combining science, innovation, and public involvement, the GCCSP aims to build a stronger case for long-term chalk stream recovery—providing a model for Greater Cambridge and beyond.

For further information, contact:

nature@cambridge.gov.uk

Ouse Fen Nature Reserve

Location: Needingworth, Cambridgeshire, UK

Since 1999 the RSPB has been working in a wetland creation project partnership with the minerals sector at Needingworth Quarry, one of the largest sand and gravel extraction sites in the UK, to create Ouse Fen nature reserve. With a 30-year lifespan, this carefully planned project is now more than half complete with more than 16 million tonnes of aggregates quarried from the site so far. The quarry operator, initially Heidelberg Materials (formerly Hanson UK) and now Brice Aggregates, is gradually handing the restored wetland over to the RSPB to manage in perpetuity. Following phased restoration, the reserve will include one of the largest reedbeds in Britain along with open water, scrub and rough grassland within a 700 ha nature reserve adjacent the river Great Ouse.  It will form a part of a near contiguous 3,000 ha wetland that also includes the RSPB’s Fen Drayton Lakes and Ouse Washes reserves.

The project has been designed to create high value habitats for target species and incorporate significant public access.  In the last 20 years the site has become important for rare species such as the secretive Bittern, known for its loud booming calls in Spring, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit.

  • 3 sq km has been restored to wildlife-rich wetland so far.
  • The site already holds up to 12 booming male Bitterns, 8 nesting Marsh Harriers and a pair of European Cranes annually.
  • Water Voles and Otters have established themselves across the reserve alongside 22 different species of dragonfly.
  • Around 19km of trails have been opened to date with 15,000 visitors a year.

Wider Wicken Fen Vision

Location: Between Cambridge and Wicken, based roughly on the Swaffham Internal Drainage Board district but not limited to it.

The Wider Wicken Vision is an ambitious 100-year plan covering 5,300 ha between Wicken Fen and the edge of Cambridge. Our aim is to increase biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and increase access to nature.

Our vision is an expanded area of fenland that contains a network of wildlife-rich habitats. Working in partnership with stakeholders and landowners this landscape will buffer and protect Wicken Fen, one of the UK’s most biodiverse sites and one of the last remaining fragments of undrained fen in East Anglia. It will provide better access to nature in an area with limited greenspace and significant growth, benefitting local people’s health and wellbeing.

We are responding to three crises – the decline in nature, the climate crisis and unequal access for people to nature – and are aiming to do more, now, within the context of a productive agricultural landscape and area of significant development.

The Wider Wicken Fen Vison celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. The Vision was conceived in 1999 on the 100th anniversary of the National Trust’s first acquisition at Wicken Fen. Its aim was to expand the nature reserve to the edge of Cambridge, restoring fen and wetland habitats, and to provide a landscape-scale space for wildlife and people. Selected as one hydrological unit, the Vision was one of the first re-wilding projects in the UK, restoring natural processes through careful water management and extensive grazing by Konik ponies and highland cattle on newly acquired land. The Vision epitomises and influenced the development of the Lawson principles: bigger, better and more joined up.

More details www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/wicken-fen-national-nature-reserve/wicken-fen-vision