‘Super reserve’ for Somerset Levels

A new “super nature reserve” is being created across 15,000 acres to protect saltmarsh, heath and wetland habitats.

Natural England, the government conservation agency, has announced a Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve (NNR) in an area home to rare and threatened species including skylark, bittern and avocet. The area in the Somerset Levels, Moors and coast is also significant for insects including the hairy dragonfly, silver diving beetle and the UK’S second largest arachnid, the raft spider.

And it is the second largest area of lowland peat in the UK, providing a significant carbon store.

The move extends the existing NNR by 56 per cent and brings together six reserves and other land managed for nature by partners including Natural England, the RSPB, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, National Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust and the Environment Agency.*