Naturalist Sir Peter Scott founded the Slimbridge reserve in Gloucestershire in 1946 after observing birds migrating to the River Severn marshes from the Russian Arctic. Today, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust runs 10 UK sites dedicated to preserving wildfowl habitats and breeding endangered species. Notable interventions have included saving the Hawaiian Goose from just 24 individuals in 1949 to a population exceeding 3,000 birds. WWT Chief Executive Sarah Fowler emphasizes that wetland recovery is crucial after agricultural drainage and urbanization depleted the vast majority of these ecosystems worldwide.
Key points
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is seeking the global restoration of one million hectares…: The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is seeking the global restoration of one million hectares of vital wetland habitats.
Naturalist Sir Peter Scott established the historic Slimbridge reserve in 1946 and later…: Naturalist Sir Peter Scott established the historic Slimbridge reserve in 1946 and later became the first person knighted for conservation work.
Protecting threatened wildfowl species relies entirely on reviving, buffering, and preser…: Protecting threatened wildfowl species relies entirely on reviving, buffering, and preserving vulnerable wetland ecosystems around the world.
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Most people know rainforests are vital in the fight against climate change, but now scientists say wetlands could be even more important.
Saltmarshes, mangrove swamps and wetlands can absorb carbon "four times faster than trees", according to the charity the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).
Celebrating 80 years since WWT's first wetland bird reserve was founded at Slimbridge, in Gloucestershire, the charity's leaders have called for one million hectares of wetlands to be restored across the world.
Sarah Fowler, CEO of WWT, said: "They are mood-boosting, flood-buffering, water-purifying, incredible habitats. But we have lost 85% of the world's wetlands."
WWT now runs 10 wetland bird reserves across the UK.
Many people come to enjoy the swans, geese, flamingoes and migrating wildfowl, but do not realise how powerful these habitats can be in soaking up carbon and slowing down climate change.
So how vital are wetlands for birds, and how powerful can they be in the fight against climate change?
'Patron Saint of Conservation'
In November 1946, a naturalist called Peter Scott came to a wild marshy area on…
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