WWT has teamed up with Aviva, the savings and insurance business, on a ground-breaking project to restore saltmarshes in the UK.

The partnership between Aviva and the WWT will develop best practice in saltmarsh restoration, unlocking its power to deliver multiple benefits. It will see Aviva donate £21 million to WWT to restore up to 250 hectares of saltmarsh and support new ‘on the ground’ research to help fill evidence gaps and provide a catalyst for further investment in saltmarsh creation to help combat climate change and reverse nature loss.

Photo: WWT

Saltmarsh, a nature-rich habitat historically in serious decline, is a mix of coastal land and water that helps to combat the causes and effects of climate change. Saltmarshes are brilliant carbon sinks, accumulating carbon forty times faster than forests, and offer natural flood protection; they also teem with wildlife that often cannot survive elsewhere, help improve water quality and make us feel better. A natural solution to some of our world’s most pressing problems.

Drawing on our expertise in conservation and research, the funding will also enable the development of ‘best practice guidelines and on the ground’ analysis to provide a catalyst for further investment in saltmarsh creation across the UK.

Sarah Fowler, Chief Executive of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust said: “We are incredibly excited about our new transformative partnership with Aviva which aims to unlock the superpowers of wetlands to help combat the interlinked emergencies of climate change and catastrophic biodiversity loss.”

 The £21 million donation builds on Aviva’s recent donations of €5m to the Nature Trust in Ireland, £38m to the Wildlife Trusts and £10m to the Woodland Trust.

Further information can be read from Aviva and WWT.