90% of UK wetlands have been lost, putting wildlife at risk. There's still time to protect Yorkshire's remaining wetlands and threatened creatures, but we need your help.

In our changing climate, wetlands provide refuge for local wildlife and global migratory birds. That’s why it’s devastating to see Yorkshire’s natural network of wetland habitats vanish from our landscape.

Sadly, decades of habitat loss is having shocking effects. As you read this, heavily threatened species like water voles are being forced closer to regional extinction.

This is only the beginning. Each time an urban pool, lake or reed bed is drained, Yorkshire’s network of wetlands becomes smaller and more fragmented – making it harder for threatened species to bounce back.

That’s why our remaining wetlands are in desperate need of protection - otherwise many of the species that you know and love could disappear from Yorkshire altogether.

We know that together we can make a difference, but we need your help. Will you team up with wildlife lovers across the county and help us to protect, restore and reconnect Yorkshire’s wetland habitats?

Will you help to protect Yorkshire's wetland wildlife?

The lifeblood of our natural world

All life on earth needs water for survival - that’s why Yorkshire’s wetlands are the lifeblood of our natural world. Here are our top four reasons why Yorkshire’s wetlands are so important:

• They are home to wonderful wildlife - Birds including curlew and bittern, plants like greater burnet and southern marsh orchid, seasonal visitors and many other animals like water vole and dragonflies all call wetlands home.
   
• They deepen our connection with nature - Our wetlands create a sense of wonder. We are naturally drawn to water and enjoy seasonal spectacles; winter starling murmurations, the first swallow of spring and their margins of cool shade in summer.
   
• They offer protection for communities - When the heavens open our networks of healthy wetlands hold water and slow the flow back into rivers. This becomes more urgent and vital each year as the climate emergency takes hold.
   
• They give us hope for the future - The climate emergency is already putting pressure on wildlife, with species moving north in search of cooler, wetter climates. Unless we protect and restore wetlands now there will be nowhere for these newcomers to find safe haven in the future. Acting today gives hope for tomorrow

We must act now if we want to protect Yorkshire’s wetland wildlife for generations to come. Will you support our campaign to protect your favourite wetland species?

Hardworking wetlands

0ur dedicated conservationists work tirelessly to protect our wetland habitats and the species that rely on them:

Earth-moving

By scraping out earth and building mounds, we create pools and islands for wetland wildlife such as bittern, dragonfly and kingfisher. By turning bare fields and deep quarries into specialist habitat we create homes for wildlife like snipe and oystercatchers.

Volume Control

We regularly measure and adjust water levels to create the perfect condition for Yorkshire’s wetland wildlife. Too little water can mean nowhere for wintering waterfowl to rest and feed, but too much water can submerge floodplain meadows threatening breeding wading birds.

Maintain margins

Rare fragments of reedbed and floodplain meadow still survive but need careful preservation to protect them from drying out or being taken over by scrub. A meticulous cutting plan is created for our reedbeds while floodplain meadows are grazed to support glorious summer wildflowers and homes for insects.