World Wetlands Day 2026

On the 2nd February, those who work to create, sustain and enjoy wetlands come together to celebrate World Wetlands Day. To celebrate the 2026 theme of “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage”, Chris Bawtree, Nature Recovery Director, shares how our expert knowledge is creating new habitat heritage at two habitat banks. 

Wildfell and Devana: Building wetlands 

At our two BNG habitat banks, we are creating wetlands and freshwater habitats that are not just delivering BNG units, but habitats that are integral to the wider ecosystem. They act as home and refuge to many different species and are fundamental elements of landscape recovery schemes as they interact with other key habitats such as grassland, scrub and woodland. 

Across Wildfell and Devana, we have successfully created 22 ponds, brought eight into active management and restored three, providing a hotspot for all the wildlife that has been supported by our schemes.  

Wildlife and wetlands: A new heritage  

Our ponds support two populations of great crested newts, and at Wildfell we are aiming to create a stronghold for the species. In addition, the new ponds are already attracting a wide range of species, such as whirligig beetles, water boatmen, smooth newts, frog and toad tadpoles, to name a few. 

The ponds are also watering holes for badger, deer, fox, brown hares and rabbits, plus a wide range of bird species, which live and interact throughout the site, but use the wetlands. Slowly but surely, the site can support more and more different species.  

Another reason to celebrate 

What is exciting is the knock-on effect that these wetlands have as multifunctional habitats. They are enhancing biodiversity, supporting endangered species such as the great crested newt, and act as water storage, natural flood prevention and areas of carbon sequestration. 

We have also seen the wet clay banks providing building material for swallows and house martins, which creates a truly interconnected site.  

The role of BNG 

The sale of our high-integrity units helps fund our work at Wildfell and Devana and supports nature’s recovery as part of a business. Creating and maintaining the wetlands involves ponds, scrapes, installing leaky dams, and ensuring that native species are dominant. When our customers buy our units, they are part of this journey.  

Here’s to the continued work at our habitat banks and creating a new heritage in Essex and Cambridgeshire.