Conservation

In 1993 an international treaty was signed by 159 governments to conserve the world’s biodiversity. This led to the launch of ‘Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan’ in 1994 and the ‘Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan’ (BAP) in 1999. The Norfolk BAP currently features 51 Species Action Plans and 21 Habitat Action Plans (January 2010). These are the national priority species and habitats that are found in Norfolk and, as such, are those that require our urgent attention. Reflecting its high wildlife value, a number of the Norfolk BAP species and habitats are found in the Wensum Valley including, water vole, otter, brown hare, skylark, grey partridge, song thrush, great crested newt, white-clawed crayfish and Desmoulin’s whorl snail. BAP habitats found in the valley include reedbed, floodplain grazing marsh, lowland heathland, fen, ancient species-rich hedgerow and cereal field margins.

71 km of the river Wensum and pockets of land associated with it are designated as SSSI and SAC which mean that they are protected by UK and EU law; however, the valley still needs protecting so that this biodiversity isn’t lost. To help conserve the biodiversity of the Valley, WVT leads volunteer work parties and employs contractors on a variety of different sites. See our Recent News section for details of what’s been happening lately.

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This page was last updated on 6th July 2010. Wensum Valley Trust Registered Charity Number 1120524