A LASTING legacy for wildlife and people has been created with completion on the West Somerset coast near Hinkley Point of the restoration of nearly 1,000 acres of wetland habitat.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) has created new scrapes and enhanced existing ditches and saline lagoons, while a tidal inlet has been installed to help the Steart Marshes nature reserves retain water.

The ‘’Wetter for Waders’ project was funded with more than £800,000 from the Government’s Species Survival Fund.

WWT said the work would benefit nesting birds such as avocets, while an expansive boardwalk had also been built to help visitors move close to salt marsh habitats and the wildlife which calls it home.

The charity’s site manager Alys Laver said: “The community love and depend on its expansive wetland landscapes, which is why we are so pleased to have restored, enhanced, and improved over 370 hectares throughout this two-year project.

“The work has focussed on better connecting Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay so wetland wildlife can move freely across this large area.

“It is also helping to improve the overall resilience of the landscape to the effects of climate change.

“We have re-wetted formerly dry pastureland by restoring lagoons and ditches and installing culverts and stop-log structures.

“New scrapes will help to provide more feeding habitat for breeding birds, and seven new ponds have been enhanced, including the creation of a historic ‘ghost pond’ using 18th century maps.

“The work is already paying dividends for wildlife, with a 2025 survey showing evidence of breeding great-crested newts in the area.”

Alongside habitat enhancement, WWT also engaged hundreds of local people, including residents, landowners, businesses, volunteers, and local schools.

Ms Laver said: “We were so thrilled to welcome the children from Otterhampton Primary School to cut the ceremonial ribbon and open up our brand new saltmarsh boardwalk, which helps visitors get up close to wetland habitats, to learn all about their amazing superpowers and the wildlife that depend on them.

“It has been such a pleasure engaging with hundreds of local people over the last couple of years through events, art groups, willow and painting workshops, demonstration and training days, and volunteering.

“It has truly been a joint effort for the joint good.”

WWT Steart Marshes is the wetland charity’s only ‘working wetland’, and grazing is a crucial component of keeping the salt marsh habitat in good condition.

Together with Blue Carbon Farming, WWT increased the area of grazing land on the reserve to nearly 1,200 acres.

Blue Carbon Farming co-founder Andy Darch said: “It was a pleasure to be involved with the ‘Wetter for Waders’ project.

“We are very proud of our involvement, using cattle specifically to help restore wetland habitats.

“This is a great example of how farming and conservation can work together to produce fantastic food, while also improving habitats.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship working with WWT in the future.”

The Species Survival Fund aims to reverse the decline in species abundance by preserving vital habitats.