Chris Packham becomes Patron of Wicken Fen Vision

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To mark the 10th anniversary of the Wicken Fen Vision on Friday 1 May, the National Trust is delighted to announce that renowned naturalist and television presenter, Chris Packham has agreed to become Patron for the Wicken Fen Vision, the most ambitious nature conservation project being undertaken by the National Trust in lowland Britain.

The Wicken Fen Vision is a 100 year project by the National Trust to create a landscape scale nature reserve and green lung for Cambridgeshire and the East of England, covering 53 sq km, from the existing Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve to the outskirts of Cambridge. The Vision will see the re-creation of a mosaic of fenland habitats to help protect and conserve endangered species of wildlife whilst providing a vast area for public access for leisure, relaxation, exercise and education.

Speaking on his decision to become Patron of the Wicken Fen Vision, Chris Packham said:

"I am delighted to be asked to become Patron for the National Trust's Wicken Fen Vision. I have a great fondness for Wicken Fen, a beautiful nature reserve steeped in history. I have taken a keen interest in the development of the Vision for a number of years and passionately believe that the development of landscape scale nature reserves is the way forward in helping to safeguard the long term survival of many of our countries' rare and endangered species".

Wicken Fen Property Manager, Chris Soans said:

"We are absolutely delighted that Chris has agreed to become Patron particularly as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Vision. Chris has visited Wicken Fen on several occasions and has long taken a keen interest in Wicken Fen and the long term plans for the development of the reserve".

Chris Packham is a lifelong naturalist, photographer, author and broadcaster. He was recently announced as the new co-presenter for the highly popular BBC2 wildlife programme 'Spring Watch'. Throughout a distinguished broadcasting career Chris has presented over 75 television series and 500 programmes on major television networks.

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve was the first nature reserve owned by the fledging National Trust when it acquired two acres of land in 1899, a unique remnant of the Great Fen which once covered much of East Anglia. Throughout the 20th Century, the draining of the Fens meant that Wicken Fen became an island in a sea of intensive agriculture whose very existence and that of the wildlife it supports came under threat of extinction. The ambitious and far sighted response by the National Trust was the creation of the Wicken Fen Vision in 1999.

By purchasing and returning agricultural land to nature conservation wildlife restricted to Wicken Fen will have space to expand whilst new species will gradually colonise the new habitats. Since the launch of the Vision the early signs are extremely encouraging, Otters and Water Vole have returned, Barn owls, Hen and Marsh Harriers are regularly seen over the reserve and Bitterns one of the UK's rarest and most elusive wetland birds have nested at Wicken Fen for the first time since the 1930's.

Chris will be visiting Wicken Fen on Sunday 26 July to open Wicken Fen's new Dragonfly Centre, a joint project between the British Dragonfly Society, the Dragonfly Project and the National Trust.

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Notes to Editors
1. The Wicken Fen Vision is being developed by the National Trust in association with a number of strategic partners including, Cambridgeshire County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council, Department for Communities and Local Government, East of England Development Agency, Cambridgeshire Horizons, Greater Cambridge Partnership, Environment Agency, Natural England, Sustrans, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, The Tubney Charitable Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund.

2. Wicken Fen is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, a Special Area for Conservation and an international Ramsar Wetland. 8111 species have been recorded at Wicken Fen, making it one of the most species rich single nature reserves in the country.

3. The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation organisation and looks after special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for ever, for everyone. People and places are at the heart of everything it does. 3.5 million members, 50,000 volunteers, 500,000 school children, and millions of visitors, donors and supporters help the Trust look after its 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside. www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Further Information
For further information please contact: Howard Cooper, Communications Officer, Wicken Fen Tel 01353 720274 Mobile 07826 874133 or e-mail howard.cooper@nationaltrust.org.uk