Natural England

In the January gloom, the Humber Estuary might not look like an ideal place to visit. However, thanks to the latest efforts and cooperation between local authorities and agencies including Natural England, people can find out more about what makes one of Europe’s busiest estuaries so special.

Saturday is World Wetlands Day, which marks the signing of a wetlands protection treaty in Ramsar in 1971. The Humber Estuary was one of the first UK sites to be protected under this international agreement due to its valuable and unique habitats.

A current project is seeing the creation of six information boards for locations around the estuary to provide visitor information about the estuary and its protection. The signs can be found from March at Brough, Hessle, Paull, Alkborough, Barton and Cleethorpes. Thanks to additional funding from The Crown Estate’s Marine Stewardship Fund, signs will go up at a further six sites including Spurn, Saltfleet, Blacktoft and Hull.

There are many public footpaths around the estuary, including those at Hessle and Far Ings National Nature Reserve, which also provide the perfect opportunity to watch wildlife and take a walk in the bracing fresh air.

Kat Sanders is employed by a 34-organisational strong Humber Management Scheme partnership of which Natural England is a key funder and which works to ensure the Estuary is managed in a sustainable way, so it can be used and enjoyed by future generations. The partnership also provided funding for the signs.

Kat says “I am delighted with the way the signage project has received such support from everyone involved. It has been a team effort! This is a testament to the partnership working at the heart of the Humber Management Scheme and a milestone in its ongoing implementation. I hope the signs will be a valuable resource for both local people and visitors to the estuary and help raise awareness of the Humber’s importance for wildlife.

Emma Hawthorne at Natural England adds “Although the Humber Estuary may look brown and muddy it is of national and European importance for a wide variety of wildlife, habitats and species. There are many opportunities to watch and enjoy this wildlife on the Humber, and exercise outdoors of course has health benefits too. We hope that these signs will help people to appreciate and recognise the special wildlife which can be seen on our doorstep.

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Notes to Editors

For further information contact Emma MacDonald, Natural England regional communications 0113 2303533 07900608073 emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk Two good quality Photos are available of a seal poking it's head out of the water in sunlight © Kat Sanders and a flock of redshank flying, with the Humber Bridge in the background © Graham Catley.

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings www.naturalengland.org.uk

2. This story is in relation to announcement (embargoed until Saturday) that The Wash, which is the most important wetland site in the UK and home to waterbirds such as redshank, oystercatcher and avocet, is back in good condition for the first time in a decade, marking a major environmental achievement for World Wetland Day 2008, and announced by Natural England, Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee (ESFJC) and Wash fishermen Saturday 2 February.

3. The Humber Estuary is one of the most important wildlife sites in England. It has a number of European and international designations. These designations mean organisations like Natural England must be consulted prior to any proposal which might have an impact on the site or any of its features. Designations include Ramsar, Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Spurn Point and Far Ings are also National Nature Reserves. Further information about these designations can be found on our website www.naturalengland.org.uk

4. The Humber Management Scheme began in 2000 and is a partnership of 34 relevant authorities which have jurisdiction on or around the Humber Estuary. It is supported by the Humber Advisory Group, consisting of a wide range of business and local interest groups.

5. Ramsar sites are found throughout the world and are recognised for their international importance. There are 1708 throughout the world and UK has the highest number at 166, although Canada has the largest area.

6. Marine Stewardship Fund

• The Crown Estate is an estate valued at more than £7 billion, including substantial blocks of urban property, over 120,000 hectares (300,000 acres) of agricultural land in England, Scotland and Wales, and around half the foreshore, together with the seabed out to the 12 mile territorial limit.
• The Crown Estate manages it’s assets on a commercial basis, guided by the principles of sustainable development and social responsibility. We are committed to sustainable and long-term management of these unique assets.
• The Crown Estate established its programme of Marine Stewardship to provide funding to support practical projects, relevant research, and other initiatives that improve the status and management of the marine estate. Since 1999, the Marine Stewardship Fund has contributed £5 million to community projects throughout the UK.
• For more information on The Crown Estate and the Marine Communities Fund, visit www.thecrownestate.co.uk, or contact: Katie King, Communications Dept, The Crown Estate, 020 7851 5009 katie.king@thecrownestate.co.uk