Eco-boost for Morecambe Bay area (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Eco-boost for Morecambe Bay area
2:50pm Wednesday 15th September 2010 in Silverdale news
THE RSPB has unveiled plans for a large-scale conservation project to benefit the environment, wildlife and the economy of south Cumbria and north Lancashire.
Officially launched at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve, in Silverdale, the Morecambe Bay Futurescapes proj-ect aims to restore and create a network of wildlife-rich wetland habitats on the coastal plain that surrounds Morecambe Bay and along the river valleys of the Duddon, Leven, Kent, Keer, Lune and Wyre.
RSPB workers hope that this enriched land-scape will support thriving populations of wetland species such as bitterns, water voles, ospreys, rare dragon-flies and wading birds.
The conservation organisation hopes to create the wetland net-work by asking farmers and other land owners to manage wet-land habitats through the use of farmland conservation grants.
Through these projects, the RSPB hopes that Morecambe Bay will become recognised as one of the best places to experience wildlife in the country.
The charity says local businesses such as accommodation prov-iders, shops and cafes will also enjoy a rise in eco-tourism. “Morecambe Bay already has some amazing wildlife and there are currently lots of great opportunities for local businesses to use this to their advantage,” said the RSPB’s West Coast estuaries area manager Robin Horner at the launch event.
“However, we believe that for Morecambe Bay to realise its full potential as a wildlife-tourism destination we need to invest in creating new habitat, as well as better visitor infra-structure.”
Lucy Barron, man-ager of Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), welcomed the news: “This is an exciting oppor-tunity to further improve the wildlife and increase nature tourism in this area,” she said.
The RSPB is working as part of the More-cambe Bay Wildlife Network, which consists of Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trusts, The National Trust, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, The Forestry Commission, Cumbria Tourism, Arnside and Silverdale AONB and Butterfly Conservation.
