World Wetlands Day

February 13, 2023 | WONDER | 2 minute read

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2nd February and aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet.

Wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies and more.

They are essentially land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally, for example, saltwater marshes and lagoons at the coast, lakes, rivers, and floodplains inland, or something as simple as a man-made fishpond.

Did you know, 35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years and we are losing them faster than forests. Here at Holkham, we are working to restore what were, up until recently, very dry meadows on the National Nature Reserve. In the middle ages, this area was a network of tidal creeks and salt marshes until a sea wall was built in 1719.

Our aim was to create a wildlife-rich habitat and we know that fresh water attracts birds. Be they wildfowl or waders, our aim was to create a habitat for nesting Lapwings, Redshanks, and Avocets, alongside winter visitors such as Wigeon, Teal, and Pink-footed Geese. For the fields to be perfect, summer grazing by cows is essential.

If you visit Holkham Beach and The Lookout today, you will see our wetlands alive and thriving.