A Norfolk visitor attraction is doing its bit to help save wetland habitats by launching a new Wetland Discovery Area for visitors.
On Thursday 19 July 2018, Pensthorpe Natural Park, in Fakenham, opened the doors to its latest new attraction, the Wetland Discovery Area, which is intended to educate visitors about the importance and fragility of wetland habitats and to inspire them to help protect them.
The new £70,000 educational area demonstrates the different wetland habitats around the world such as lakes, rivers and garden ponds, and has been part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A large pond-dipping facility, thought to be the largest in Norfolk, gives visitors a ‘hands on’ opportunity to see domestic wetland habitats in action, whilst the popular Pensthorpe flamingos are back on public display as their new home, illustrative of tropical lagoons more commonly found in southern Spain, takes pride of place within the new area.
Wetlands occur on every continent of the world, except Antarctica. Many of these wetland areas are home to species which both permanently live there or travel to take advantage of their food supplies. Unfortunately, in the last 100 years about half of the world’s wetlands have vanished yet they are still hugely valuable for wildlife. Whether for water provision, hunting territory, breeding sites or plant growth, wetlands are vitally important.
Bill Jordan, owner of Pensthorpe, comments: “We want to tell the story of wetlands as a habitat. They are diverse, complex, teeming with life, yet, most worryingly, under threat, so anything we can do to make people aware of their unique place within the ecosystem the better.
“We want to take our visitors on a journey of both guided and self-led exploration, starting with interactive pond-dipping in the Wetland Discovery Area and finishing at the Wetland Hide where they can observe nature in action. If we can communicate the beauty of these habitats effectively, we hope to inspire a passion in our visitors to protect them.”
The new area is the latest addition to the 700-acre reserve since it opened its Wetland Hide in April this year.
The new Wetland Discovery Area opening comes within the same month as Pensthorpe Natural Park sees its 30th anniversary and its 15th under the care of current owners Bill and Deb Jordan.
For more information about Pensthorpe visit pensthorpe.com or call 01328 851465.
The small team at Black Shuck Gin, based in Fakenham, continue to amaze EAAA with their generosity and kindness.
As well as supporting the charity with a limited edition gin this year and other various fundraising activities, they have spent their time during the lockdown tirelessly working with government authorities to produce a very much needed Alcohol Based Hand Sanitiser.
This has been donated to regional air ambulances, care homes, schools and key workers to help save lives during the pandemic. Black Shuck Gin have made a huge impact on EAAA and on the wider community.
Patrick and Sarah Saunders of Black Shuck Gin said: "We were thrilled, honoured and proud to hear that we had won the Most Inspirational Business Category in the East Anglian Air Ambulance Inspiration Awards. All of the nominees were outstanding and we thoroughly enjoyed reading all of their stories."
Members of Pensthorpe’s Junior Board, and their siblings, were the first to try out Pensthorpe Natural Park’s new mud kitchen and trial some of the activities for its new summer event, Nature’s WILD Tribe.
The outdoor mud kitchen is the latest addition to WildRootz and the 4.3 feet wide kitchen was built onsite by the team in four days. Featuring four bowls, utensils such as spoons and whisks and a tap, it is made from recycled materials, including an old wheelbarrow and uses some of the reserve’s old signage as blackboards.
Kelly Lovick, Play Manager at Pensthorpe Natural Park, came up with the idea of the mud kitchen and comments: “Messy play is not only important to support with the development of fine motor skills, but is also a fantastic sensory experience and great for imagination and role play. It also creates nostalgia for adults, so all ages, including mum and dad, can join in the muddy fun! When I was young we didn’t have the technology that children do now, so I was always making mud pies and getting dirty in the garden. That’s why we wanted to build our own mud kitchen and it is such a simple and fun thing that adults can enjoy with the children.”
The first Pensthorpe Bird and Wildlife Fair was held on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2019 at Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, and attracted around 2,500 visitors.
Celebrating Norfolk as the birdwatching capital of the UK, visitors were treated to talks, guided walks, demonstrations, book signings and around 50 exhibitors being in attendance.
Highlights included guest appearances from nature and wildlife experts including Simon King OBE, known for his work on Big Cat Diary and Springwatch, and Mike Dilger, The One Show wildlife reporter and presenter on Nature’s Babies.
Simon King OBE said: “The natural world is a constant source of inspiration and Norfolk is prolific as being the most amazing county for birdwatching and nature as it is buzzing with wildlife. Pensthorpe really is the hub for that and May is a busy time for migrating species so the Fair was held at the perfect time of year. I’ve enjoyed a great weekend celebrating nature in the county.”
Pensthorpe Natural Park has added one of Britain’s best-known birders, Bill Oddie OBE, to its programme of guest speakers at the Pensthorpe Bird and Wildlife Fair on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2019 and announced an exciting programme of talks at the two-day event.
Wildlife presenter and conservationist Bill Oddie OBE, who has presented popular TV programmes including Springwatch and Autumnwatch, will join well-known TV naturalists Simon King OBE and Mike Dilger, along with other bird and wildlife experts, at the event, which aims to highlight the county’s credentials as a birding and wildlife hotspot.
Visitors can look forward to both male and female experts from the world of television, conservation and birdwatching giving talks on both days. Highlights include speakers from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Joe Harkness of Bird Therapy, who recently appeared on Winterwatch with Chris Packham talking about the healing power of birds, as well as wildlife photographers sharing their tips on capturing incredible footage.
With the chief executive of the Environment Agency recently announcing that England is set to run short of water within 25 years, the importance of this valuable resource, how to conserve it and educating the next generation is vital. That’s why Pensthorpe Conservation Trust is showcasing the importance of water by making it the theme of its annual Wild About the Wensum event when it returns to Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, on Sunday 12th May 2019.
Wild About the Wensum, now in its thirteenth year and taking place from 10am to 5pm, aims to encourage people of all ages, especially families who often don’t get the chance to be outdoors, to enjoy the beautiful Wensum Valley, and understand its importance, within which Pensthorpe Natural Park is located.