Appeal to save Cornwalls wildlife wetlands

Cornwall Wildlife Trust are appealing for donations to help them save hundreds of acres of Cornwall's precious wetland habitats. These areas that were once rich in wildlife are being damaged through a lack of proper management, but the Trust believes it holds the key to changing this. They are hoping to embark on a major project to improve wetland sites across Cornwall and are appealing for your help to fund this project. The Trust need to raise £20,000 to make it happen, and have raised £8,698 so far.

Victoria Whitehouse, Conservation Manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust says;

“Sadly these precious habitats are deteriorating due to lack of good management and we are at risk of losing our common native species if nothing is done. Otters, kingfishers, newts and damselflies are just some examples of wildlife that rely on well managed wetland areas to survive. We intend to work with landowners and managers with wetland habitats on their land before it is too late.”

Donating is easy, you can either go online at www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk or call (01872) 273939. The Trust welcomes any donation, big or small. Jasmin Appleby, Marketing and Fundraising Manager says;

“Every donation will help us. For example, £20 pays for one rake to help clear ditches, £75 pays for an otter holt or £500 pays for a medium-sized pond to be created, which is the size of 150 paddling pools! And if you can Gift Aid your donation we get an extra 28p for every £1 donated from the government.”

The money raised will fund wetland improvement projects, which are not eligible for other funding sources, such as clearing encroaching scrub to ensure there is open water so animals such as butterflies, frogs and otters can survive. The Trust will also carry out surveys for landowners and farmers to give them practical advice on enhancing their habitats to protect important species. Landowners and managers will also be helped to submit successful applications for Environment Stewardship grants, which will help to pay for positive wetland management on sites for the next ten years. This appeal has already attracted interest from local business and is being supported by Worldwide Financial Planning, who are Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Independent Financial Advisors.

Peter McGahan, Director, said “We’ve been supporting Cornwall Wildlife Trusts for a number of years, through our pension advice scheme and sponsorship of the St George’s Island nature reserve passenger boat. But we always like to help them further where we can. Cornwall’s environment is so special and it needs protecting. Sponsoring the appeal to help cover it’s running costs is one more way we can help and we’re proud to do so. We want the Trust to raise as much money as possible to save Cornwall’s wetland habitats and would encourage other businesses to do the same and donate to the appeal today.”

Wetlands are also far more than just habitats for wildlife; they have the potential to soak up flood waters and to slowly release water in times of drought. In a changing climate with potentially hotter, drier summers and more frequent storms, wetlands will be crucial in helping us to adapt. For more information on the appeal please see www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.

BRIAN  TAYLOR

NEWSDESK

DECEMBER 1 2009