Wetlands nature reserve
The Wetlands Nature Reserve, winner of a natural heritage award, is a peaceful and diverse natural environment open for all to enjoy.
The six-hectare (15-acre) site on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, near Hinxton, has been specially created to provide a range of habitats for a range of plant and animal species.
A footpath has been built linking the villages of Hinxton and Ickleton and connecting to a wider network of footpaths.
A wildlife haven
The Reserve includes several niche environments, each suitable for a specific set of animal and plant species. These include a dry grassland meadow area, ponds and aquatic/marginal areas around them, and a shrub and woodland area.
Artificial otter holts have been built along the river bank, while a World War II pillbox has been adapted for use by bats.
History of the site
Work began on the Reserve in 2003. Originally, the area was flat grazing pastureland.
Some 15 000 tonnes of soil were moved to create a series of mounds and ponds (which were filled naturally). Around 10 000 trees and shrubs were planted to provide a range of new habitats for wild animals, birds and insects.
The reserve provides a natural flood-relief mechanism, by acting as a large sponge and storing rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall: as the water table drops, the water slowly drains away, thereby reducing the likelihood of downstream flooding.
Management of the site
A Community Conservation Group has been set up to work with the Wellcome Trust to manage the site from a conservation perspective. A five-year management plan [PDF 1.13MB], drawn up by the Cambridge Green Belt Project, outlines the key objectives for the Reserve and how ecological goals are to be met.
More information
If you would like further information on the Wetlands Nature Reserve, please contact:
Jayne Proctor
Facilities Manager
Hinxton Hall
Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
Hinxton
Cambridge CB10 1RQ
T 01223 495159
E
jayne.proctor@hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk