A wildlife trust is calling on the public to support a major campaign to restore a lost haven for nature.
The Severn Hams, a vast floodplain stretching between Gloucester and Tewkesbury, was once alive with the calls of curlew, while butterflies, bees and other pollinators thrived amongst species-rich grasslands.
But decades of habitat loss and land use changes mean that today much of that wildlife has disappeared.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is now working to restore the area as part of its ambitious Mission Wild campaign.
Harry Smith, land manager at the trust, said: “Spending time on the Severn Hams, it’s hard not to think about what this landscape must have been like years ago.
“It’s still a special place, but we’ve lost so much.
“Mission Wild is our chance to help bring some of that life back.
“By restoring wetlands and grasslands and working closely with local farmers, we can create a landscape that’s better for wildlife, better for people and more resilient for the future.”
Harry Smith, lead land manager for west Gloucestershire (Image: Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust)
Harry’s Mission focuses on bringing wildlife back to the floodplain by improving grasslands, restoring wetlands, and supporting threatened species.
The project also involves working with farmers to create a landscape that is more resilient to climate change and supports both nature and agriculture.
This will benefit species including curlew, lapwing, snipe, and a wealth of pollinating insects, while also improving the floodplain’s ability to cope with the impacts of extreme weather.
Mr Smith is now appealing for public support to help make this vision a reality.
More information about the project and how to get involved is available at gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/harrys-mission-severn-hams.
The appeal forms part of Mission Wild, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s largest-ever fundraising campaign, which aims to raise £3 million to secure the future of wildlife across the county.
