Conserving our wetlands
A broad range of wetland habitats can be found in Staffordshire including rivers, streams, canals, lakes, reservoirs, meres, mosses, inland saltmarsh, wet woodlands, fens, marshes, swaps, bogs and reedbeds. Find out more about our conservation work that preserves these vital local wetland habitats.
There are over 3,740 hectares (ha) of wetland habitats in Staffordshire of which 2,112 ha are designated with Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI status). Otters, wading birds, dragonflies, frogs and many more wonderful species call our wetland habitats home.
Credit: Ross Hoddinott2020VISION
It is estimated that over 85% of the UK's rivers and streams have been severely modified from their natural state. Pollution, urbanisation, insensitive land drainage, river modifications and agricultural intensification are largely to blame. We are working hard to restore these wetland habitats to their original state, create new wetlands, raise the profile on the import ecosystem services that wetlands provide and increase community-led initiatives that aim to bring wetlands, its inhabitants and people together in harmony.
One of our biggest projects involves an exciting £3 million project to revitalise the Trent Valley waterways and wetlands. You can read more about our Staffordshire wetlands and waterways work below.
Credit: Nick Mott
Our projects
Tom Ellis - Doxey - 23-06-22
Stafford Brooks
Working together, this partnership project will create havens for wildlife to flourish, improve the nature recovery network, help alleviate flooding, and give residents in Stafford better access to their rivers and green spaces.
At Cherry Holme a river island was restored, with new channels and backwaters created.
Transforming the Trent Valley
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is the lead partner of the Transforming the Trent Valley Partnership, a collection of charities, local authorities, statutory bodies and businesses working together to connect communities, support local action, and restore and enhance the natural environment and cultural heritage of the Trent Valley.
Natural Flood Management
Natural flood management (NFM) uses natural processes to help reduce the risk of flooding to people, properties and infrastructure. In Staffordshire with our support, a number of NFM projects are underway and are being delivered in partnership with a wide range of organisations, communities and landowners. These include the Environment Agency, CaBA, Natural England, Staffordshire County Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
