Environmental Groups

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Background of Organisation

Formed in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott, The WIldfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is the UK's largest international conservation charity dedicated to saving wetlands and their biodiversity. WWT operates 9 visitor centres in the UK and has a growing membership, currently standing at 112,000. Its headquarters is at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, on the Severn Estuary.

Organisational Objectives

WWT aims to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and promote action to save them ultimately reversing the trend of wetland loss and safeguarding biodiversity. Its work concentrates on waterbirds and their habitats. It achieves its mission by:

• Carrying out direct species and habitat conservation.
• Raising awareness of wetlands and wetland isues amongst key policy makers, organisations and members of the public.
• Undertaking sound research, principally on waterbirds and their habitats to support conservation work.
  

Relevant Policies, Projects & Activities

WWT's wetland conservation work is grouped under four broad themes:

1. Species and Populations
2. Habitats and ecosystems
Both of these themes cover direct conservation programmes, UK species action planning, research and monitoring, national and international policy and advocacy.
3. People
WWT works to inspire people to undertake direct conservation action. This is achieved through visitor centres, education and lifelong learning programmes along with goverment, regional and international policy and advocacy.
4. Support
Development of the infrastructure and resources that underpin WWT's conservation efforts.