The Great Fen Project: a 50-year plan
The Great Fen is an expanse of nationally significant fen landscape between Peterborough and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The area was once ‘wild fen’, but in the 17th Century the fens of Eastern England were drained to create peat-rich farmland. This resulted in 99% of the wild fen being destroyed. The fenland that remained was too small and isolated to continue to support the special wildlife that had survived. The area needed landscape-scale change.
In 2000, five organisations, including our client – the Wildlife Trusts of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire – joined together to conceive the Great Fen project. Between them, they provided the insight and expertise in conservation, recreation, business and tourism, flood protection, water management, community and visitor engagement. The Great Fen Steering Group set out on a 50-year habitat restoration project, one of the largest in Europe. It has created a huge nature recovery network including the connection of the two National Nature Reserves giving the unique species they hold enough space to thrive.
Almost 25 years on, the Great Fen is a great place to visit, with many talks and activities taking place at the Wildlife Trust Visitors Centre and many different trail options.
It all began with a Compton fundraising study and consulting work to identify the first tranches of capital funding and volunteer leadership.
Landcare Australia: a national movement
Established in 1989 by the late former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, Landcare Australia grew out of the Landcare movement – bringing farmers and conservationists together to resolve environmental issues. Landcare has created a sustainable approach to integrated land management, natural habitat restoration, enhancing biodiversity and building resilience in the nation’s food and farming systems. Social cohesion and wellbeing in participating communities has been greatly enhanced.
A Compton team managed the first major fundraising campaign for Landcare. Today, a generation on, thousands of people are involved in the movement working to protect local ecosystems that contribute to the sustainability and productivity of land and water assets for the benefit of all Australians.
Ocean Conservation Trust, Plymouth: Ocean Optimists at the heart of the Ocean City
The Ocean Conservation Trust is a global Ocean conservation charity working towards its vision of a healthy Ocean. Incorporating the National Marine Acquarium at the Harbourside opposite the Mayflower Steps in “The Ocean City ”, Plymouth, the Trust is a charity of made up of internationally-recognised experts and optimists taking action to protect and restore nature for a thriving ocean. Our South West team has been engaged to work with the Trust to plan its next phase of development.
Winchester Science Centre “Wonderseekers: “For People and Planet 2030”
Winchester Science Centre is part of the independent educational charity, Wonderseekers, who are on a mission to inspire and engage all children in science. Wonderseekers’ “For People and Planet 2030 ” strategy builds on the Charity’s heritage of creating science experiences and taking on an environmental agenda in response to climate change. We are pleased to be working with the Wonderseeker’s team to develop a plan that will include a Natural History Discovery Centre: exploring and interpreting the chalk downs landscape and environment.
