Conserving Wetlands, Creating Wellbeing

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is the UK's leading wetland conservation charity. Thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery, WWT is working to protect, create and restore wetlands in many places in the UK and abroad.

WWT was founded in 1946 and today manages ten diverse wetland reserves across the UK, delivering amazing nature experiences for over one million visitors every year. The centres and reserves provide learning and recreational opportunities, as well as health and wellbeing benefits, for children and adults alike.

Wetlands play a unique role in supporting people's physical and mental health. The way we live is changing. Today, many of us live in urban environments with little access to nature. According to the United Nations, 68% of us will be living urban lives by 2050. The benefits of time in nature are now well recognised by health care professionals as a way to prevent illness and reduce the social burden of chronic disease. In 2021, WWT will provide more opportunities for people to spend time in wetland environments to improve and maintain their health.

Respite In Nature

When the COVID-19 crisis started, WWT stepped up their online engagement to inspire people to enjoy nature remotely or at home. This included establishing a learning hub for those who were home-schooling, which attracted 67,000 views and excellent reviews.

Where government restrictions allowed, WWT worked hard to safely keep their wetland centres open across Great Britain, granting visitors some much-needed respite and the chance to reap the benefits of connecting with nature. Whilst WWT has sadly had to close its centres again temporarily, they are making sure everyone gets a dose of nature by continuing to encourage online engagement.

A Greener Future

Wetlands hold a great deal of natural capital and provide many goods and services, essential for the economy and for our quality of life. This year, WWT will place wetlands at the heart of the charity's Blue Recovery strategy, where they will highlight wetlands as critical blue infrastructure for the future. The WWT team will also be inspiring people to take their own action for wetlands through activities they can do at home, such as building a garden pond or campaigning for nature.

At the start of February, around World Wetlands Day, WWT will be highlighting the benefits of wetlands for everyone. WWT will also be hosting a virtual Blue Recovery event in March.

People's Postcode Lottery players have so far donated over £3 Million to WWT. In 2021, players' generosity will enable WWT to: 

• Restore, create and protect wetland reserve habitats,
• Help people get closer to nature and experience the amazing health and wellbeing benefits that wetlands provide,
• Motivate everyone to value wetlands and inspire people to take action for conservation, and
• Help protect the beautiful Bewick's Swan against illegal shooting.

Good Causes

Inspired by the funding People's Postcode Lottery players have provided for WWT? Get to know the other incredible Charities supported by our players.