Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has set out to turn over 120 acres of farmland into peat-fenland, a haven for countless wildlife species.
They plan to buy the Bourne North Fen site from a local farmer and use it to create a multi-purpose wetland, linking up important nature reserves in the county’s countryside.
The new wetland will be connected by two rivers to form part of a nature recovery network.
These plans seek to boost Lincolnshire’s endangered fenland habitats by 30% and support the return of certain species, such as the swallowtail butterfly, bittern, crane and greater water parsnip to the area.
The project will also focus on improving water resource management, with a view to reduce flood risk, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.
Head of Conservation at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Tammy Smalley, said: “Sitting in between our nature reserves of Willow Tree Fen and Boston Fen, it offers the opportunity to restore and reconnect Lincolnshire’s lost fenland.”
Fundraising for the first phase of the project, which includes acquiring land and setting in motion some initial engineering, is currently underway.
If fundraising is successful, the project could be completed as early as March 2022.