WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Region
Europe
Country
UK
Flyway
East Atlantic flyway
Initiative
BioWet
About
550 acres, reedbed, marsh, wet meadow, carr, wet woodland, dry reedbed, formal grounds. Open all year, with full programme of education and events for schools and the public. 9 birdwatching hides. 170,000 visitors per year. Site located between Ormskirk and Preston in West Lancashire.
Funding support: Various
Number of staff: 20 full time, 20 part time, 140 volunteers
Number of visitors per year: 170,000
Overall aims of the centre
Conservation of wetland, raising awareness of wetlands and environmental issues.
Description of the centre
550 acres, reedbed, marsh, wet meadow, carr, wet woodland, dry reedbed, formal grounds. Open all year, with full programme of education and events for schools and the public. 9 birdwatching hides. 170,000 visitors per year. Site located between Ormskirk and Preston in West Lancashire.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work areas
Guided and self-led walks, talks and presentations. Interactive programmes for schools and other educational groups. Practical work with teams from outside bodies and volunteers.
Top three successes
1. Wetland management to encourage resident and migratory birds.
2. Breeding Asian short-clawed otters.
3. Green tourism awards.
Top three challenges
Communication through appropriate signage and way marking and maps. We are working on a number of visitor studies to inform us as to what message to deliver and the rights ways to do so.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information, producing written materials; developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Running a visitor centre; managing / creating habitat; building / maintaining structures
Participation
Working with disabled people; engaging young people; engaging the local community; working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; working with primary schools; working with secondary schools; developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; running effective administration; fund-raising; PR and marketing; Health & Safety; project planning
Contact
Chris Whitehead,
Learning Manager,
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre,
Fish Lane,
Burscough,
Lancashire,
L40 0TA.
T: 01704 895181
F: 01704 892343