Wicken Fen set to share £4 Million boost for Fens

The National Trust's Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve is set to share a £4 million grant from the East of England Development Agency for the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens.

The funding from the Rural Development Programme for England, will be spent over the next seven years on local projects designed to foster a thriving farming and rural business economy in the Fens, that benefits local communities and the environment.

Part of the funding, around £440K, has been earmarked to assist tourist development by linking up the expanding wetland habitats of the National Trust's Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, the Great Fen and Ouse Washes. The money will be specifically targeted at eco-tourism initiatives such as developing footpaths, cycle routes and visitor services.

Philip Broadbent-Yale, National Trust Area Manager said "This is excellent news for Wicken Fen and our sister wetland projects. The funding will enhance tourism between the three sites and provide an economic boost for the local communities and the Fens in general."

The successful bid was developed by Cambridgeshire ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) and the Greater Cambridge Partnership working in partnership with the National Trust and local organisations.

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, the first nature reserve owned by the National Trust is home to an amazing 7800 different species of wildlife. Launched in 1999, the Wicken Fen Vision is an ambitious plan to create a new landscape scale nature reserve covering around 22 sq miles between Cambridge and Wicken Fen providing a mosaic of habitats for wildlife and people to enjoy.

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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