Avon Wildlife Trust has secured a £5m National Lottery Heritage Fund award to convert the 44-acre Ebdon Farm in North Somerset into a climate-resilient wetlands and nature reserve. Work starts this autumn to create habitats for bats, newts, kingfishers and internationally important wading birds, with phased public access to follow. The trust says the project — completed after a two-year fundraising window following the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation's purchase — will be its largest initiative and a model for nature recovery and climate adaptation.
Ebdon Farm to Become 44-Acre 'Beacon of Hope' Wetland Nature Reserve After £5m Grant
New wetland areas will be created at the former dairy farm in North Somerset [John Seager]
Avon Wildlife Trust will convert the 44-acre former dairy holding at Ebdon Farm, near Wick St Lawrence in North Somerset, into a climate-resilient wetlands and nature reserve after securing a £5 million award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The site, around 2 km (1.24 miles) from the coast, has been described by the trust as "nature depleted." Work to create interconnected wetland habitats is scheduled to begin in the autumn, with an initial construction phase followed by the opening of Ebdon Farm Nature Reserve to the public.
What Will Be Created
Planned restoration and engineering will reintroduce wetlands and water channels designed to support bats, great crested newts, kingfishers, and internationally important populations of wading birds and waterfowl. The project aims to make the site more resilient to climate impacts such as increased rainfall and coastal pressures while improving biodiversity.
Shelly Easton, from Avon Wildlife Trust, said they "can't wait to begin and let nature take the lead" [BBC]
Ownership, Funding and Community Benefits
Avon Wildlife Trust acquired the site after it was initially purchased by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation; the trust had two years to raise the funds to finalise the transfer. The trust says this will be the largest initiative it has undertaken.
Shelly Easton, Head of Nature's Recovery at Avon Wildlife Trust, said: "We need to take decisive action and show that there is hope for a nature-positive future for wildlife, farming and people. Ebdon Farm is that beacon of hope. We can't wait to begin and let nature take the lead."
Leah McNally, Chief Executive of Avon Wildlife Trust, added: "This site is ideally placed to act as a beacon for nature's recovery and climate adaptation. After a construction phase we will open Ebdon Farm Nature Reserve, enabling more people to enjoy nature while we monitor and respond to local climate impacts."
The reserve is expected to provide multiple public benefits including wildlife watching, local education and research opportunities, and support for nearby farmers as part of a landscape-scale approach to nature recovery and climate adaptation.
Timeline: Construction begins in autumn, followed by phased opening to visitors once habitats are established and monitoring systems are in place.
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