Canvey Wick Nature Reserve to be expanded

Canvey Wick Nature Reserve is set to be expanded to around 150 hectares following the transfer of adjoining land from Morrisons to the Land Trust.

The retailer has transferred 130 hectares – more than 180 football pitches – together with an endowment to boost the environmental quality of the land and provide for its long-term management. By linking this adjoining space, the Land Trust and managing partners RSPB and Buglife can extend the unique habitats and offer new education opportunities.

Although the new area currently has no formal public access, the Land Trust, RSPB and Buglife will work together to ensure local communities can safely enjoy this important site whilst protecting the wildlife.

Simon Pile, Estates Manager for the Land Trust, said: “The transfer of land that will significantly increase the size of Canvey Wick Nature Reserve is tremendously exciting, helping unlock investment into the ecological diversity and provide community opportunities for the site.

“Morrisons deserves immense credit for its supportive partnership work in making this happen.”

Morrisons Senior Asset Manager, Georgina French said:  “Canvey Wick Nature Reserve is a site of national significance and it is also important to the local area. We hope that through our partnership with the Land Trust, people will soon be able to explore the Reserve, observe its wildlife and learn about their natural habitats.”

Canvey Wick has “more biodiversity per square foot than any other site in the UK”, research has shown, and was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in February 2005 – the first brownfield site to be protected specifically for its invertebrates.

Find out more about the site here: https://thelandtrust.org.uk/space/canvey-wick/