A new wind pump to provide a potentially life saving drink of water for rare wetland plants at one of Europe's leading wetland reserves will be officially commissioned on Tuesday 17 May at 1400.

The National Trust's Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cambridge, is one of the last remaining fragments of un-drained fen which once covered the vast lowlands of East Anglia. The Fen is home to many rare and threatened species of wetland plant including the fen violet, greater spearwort and marsh pea.

At one time Wicken Fen periodically flooded with calcium rich river water which had filtered through the chalk of the Newmarket Hills before flowing towards Wicken. Flooding has diminished, primarily due to the shrinkage of the surrounding land following its historic drainage for arable use. Today the Fen's main source of water is rainwater, which is more acidic and has led to a decline in Fen's delicate plant communities.

To assist the conservation of the Fen, the Environment Agency has funded a major project to install a wind powered water pump to help re-wet the Fen.

Chris Soans, Wicken Fen Property Operations Manager, said:

"Wicken Fen is internationally recognised as a unique wetland habitat and refuge for many rare species. The re-wetting of the Fen should aid the long term conservation of this special landscape and the many species it supports."

The wind pump will lift river water up onto the Fen, via a newly constructed channel tunnelled under Wicken Lode, from where it will gradually spread out across Wicken's ancient Sedge Fen. A wind powered water pump was selected as it doesn't produce CO2 in its operation and will be a green, sustainable method of supplying water to the Fen for decades to come.

Dr Geoff Brighty, Environment Agency Area Manager, said:

'It's great that the free energy of the wind is being used to pump water essential to the health of one of the world's most important wetlands. A truly sustainable solution'

The work was carried out by the Environment Agency as part of the Government's public service agreement target for 95 per cent of Sites of Special Scientific Interest to be in favourable condition by the end of 2010. The project will also contribute to the Water Framework Directive, European legislation which encourages everyone with an interest in water to work together to protect and improve the quality of every aspect of the water environment.

One of the iconic views of Wicken Fen is its historic wooden wind pump (the last surviving wooden wind pump in the fens). The wind pump was originally used to drain nearby Adventurer's Fen for peat cutting during the summer months. It is perhaps ironic that's its modern counterpart is designed to replace rather than remove water.

The project was designed and managed by Opus International Consulting. The lead contractor was Birse Civils with the wind pump built and installed by GB Wind Pumps of Axminster.

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. Wicken Fen has been under the care and protection of the National Trust since 1899. Today Wicken Fen is designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation (a European designation under the Habitats Directive) and a RAMSAR site (an international wetland designation). See www.wicken.org.uk

2. The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation charity 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 

3. The Environment Agency is the leading organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. The Agency is responsible for making sure that air, land and water are looked after by today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk 

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