Linking the Levels

The Severn Estuary is internationally important for wildlife, loved by the people who live here and valued by businesses across the area. The estuary is blessed with a rich variety of habitats, but these vital habitats are facing increasing pressures. Here in South Gloucestershire, the council, conservation partners, communities, and landowners are working together to protect and restore the wetlands, grasslands, and salt marshes that make this landscape so special. As part of the partnership, we have been looking at species under threat in the area such as waterfowl and glowworm.

What we have realised is their populations are really quite fragmented. We have the critically endangered European eel that makes its way from the Sargasso Sea, floats on the ocean currents, and finds its way into this landscape. We have been really proud to be able to support a number of higher education students within the project. Having students is a great benefit for them, and also a sense of pride that I am helping the next generation gain the skills that I learnt a number of years back.

We have developed a programme of work looking at creating wetlands, managing our ditch networks differently, and providing habitat throughout the calendar year. These projects will also help to hold water back during our winter months and provide excellent resource and habitat for people to explore. Locally, we have brought together lots of different organisations working on a common goal, and that has been absolutely brilliant. I dream of a future where there are wetlands in the estuary and where wildlife can move freely through South Gloucestershire and be part of an international community of wildlife that thrives.

We have bold and ambitious plans to breathe life back into these vital and iconic landscapes, to see them restored, reconnected, and resilient. Join us, invest in nature. Let us bring the Severn Levels back to life.