Level 3 Countryside Management students have worked alongside Wildfowl and Wetlands staff and volunteers on Steart Marshes Wetlands reserve. An enthusiastic group completed the first day of hedge laying training under the instruction of Alan and Nigel, with the added bonus of a dry and clear day!

As one of the UK’s largest new wetland reserves, Steart Marshes is an exciting large scale saltmarsh and freshwater habitat creation project. It offers opportunities to learn new skills and receive bespoke training in water vole surveying, salt marsh surveys, bird surveys and hedge laying and planting.

In addition, some students from the Land and Wildlife courses are doing work placements at Steart.

Alan Sinclair, Course Leader said,

“For both the College and the WWT Steart team it’s a win win situation – a range of excellent habitats to manage and explore, new skills to share and learn, willing students, staff and volunteers, a dynamic new wetland, and all on our door step! Building experience and networking for the students is an essential employment skill within conservation. Our thanks are extended to WWT for their hospitality and ongoing support.”

To find out more about Countryside Management courses at Bridgwater & Taunton College click here or call the Information & Guidance team on 01278 441234.

Steart Marshes is the first of WWT’s Working Wetlands – places that demonstrate how wetlands are productive and useful. As well as being a natural buffer providing protection to the newly created flood banks, the saltmarsh is farmed for specialist saltmarsh lamb and beef. Its creeks are a nursery for the fry of important fish stocks, and it is absorbing tonnes of climate-polluting carbon as it matures.

Find out more about Steart Marshes here https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/steart-marshes/