Wetland Ambassador Project

The project is being developed to:
· improve long-term welfare standards
· create larger and more enriching environments
· improve accessibility and inclusion
· future-proof facilities against changing welfare and biosecurity requirements
· strengthen wetland education and public engagement

It is also an opportunity to create one of the UK’s leading immersive wetland wildlife experiences.

The project will:
· significantly increase crane enclosure space
· introduce new enrichment opportunities
· create enhanced wetland-style planting and landscaping
· improve welfare and management facilities
· introduce new sheltered and netted welfare areas
· improve year-round resilience during avian influenza restrictions

The aim is to create more natural, enriching and future-focused environments for the birds.

Yes.

The redevelopment will significantly increase habitat space for the cranes, alongside new landscape enrichment and varied viewing opportunities.

For flamingos, the project introduces a new welfare-focused winter area which can also provide outdoor access during periods of avian influenza restrictions.

Modern wildlife collections increasingly require flexible spaces that support both welfare and biosecurity.

The new netted areas will:

• help protect birds during avian influenza restrictions
• allow flamingos continued access to outdoor environments during restrictions
• improve welfare management
• create safer and more resilient long-term habitats

The aim is to create habitats that are both enriching for the birds and sustainable for the future.

During avian influenza restrictions, many birds across the UK are required to remain protected indoors or within covered areas.

The new flamingo welfare area is being designed so flamingos can still access a larger protected outdoor environment during restriction periods, rather than remaining confined to indoor housing alone.

When restrictions are lifted, the habitat can reopen fully to the wider outdoor space.

Importantly, the redesigned visitor pathways and viewing areas will also allow visitors to continue seeing and learning about the flamingos during restriction periods, helping maintain educational engagement and connection with the species year-round.

Flamingos and cranes are iconic wetland species which help people connect emotionally with wetlands and wider environmental issues.

Wetlands are among the most important and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, with around 40% of the world’s plant and animal species living or breeding in wetlands. However, they are also under increasing pressure globally, with around 25% of wetland species currently at risk of extinction.

In the UK alone, approximately 75% of wetlands have been lost since the 1700s.

At Pensthorpe, flamingos and cranes help us:

• educate visitors about wetland loss
• inspire future generations
• showcase the importance of habitat restoration
• encourage connection with wildlife and conservation

The project is about using these species to help tell the wider story of wetlands and why they matter, both locally and globally.

Yes, it is part of our ex-situ conservation work

The project focuses on:

Providing a key link between conservation and education

Providing a natural home for threatened species and ensuring their long term survival by maintaining healthy, genetically diverse populations outside of their natural habitats

Inspiring people to care about wildlife and conservation

Advancing animal welfare and research that benefits wild and captive populations

The project also builds upon Pensthorpe’s wider conservation work and heritage, including habitat restoration and historic involvement in crane conservation initiatives.

The project forms part of Pensthorpe Conservation Trust’s wider environmental and educational work.

While the Wetland Ambassador Project itself focuses specifically on the redevelopment of Pensthorpe’s existing crane and flamingo areas, it sits alongside much broader conservation and habitat restoration work connected to the River Wensum landscape.

This includes:
· wetland habitat restoration
· landscape-scale conservation partnerships
· educational outreach
· species conservation heritage
· work connected to the River Wensum landscape and surrounding habitats

Pensthorpe is a founding member of the Wensum Farmers cluster, a collaboration of local farmers and other landowners committed to protecting the farmed landscape and restoring and reconnecting habitats across the valley.

Together, the cluster has:

• Restored over 120 ponds leading to the recovery and return of species such as great crested newt, crusian carp and stonewort.
• Hedgerow enhancement, including training sessions.
• Protection of turtle dove habitats.
• Supplementary feeding for turtle doves.
• Mutual support for protecting biodiversity.
• Group has recently developed a landscape vision for the upper Wensum valley including creating wetland opportunities.

Pensthorpe was also a founding partner in the Great Crane Project, which helped restore breeding cranes to Somerset for the first time in over 400 years and supported the long-term future of cranes within the UK.

Today, cranes and flamingos at Pensthorpe continue to play an important role as educational ambassadors, helping visitors connect with wetlands, biodiversity and wider conservation challenges.

The Wetland Ambassador Project helps strengthen this wider philosophy by ensuring the environments and species visitors encounter onsite reflect and reinforce the restoration work happening across the wider valley.

Why does Pensthorpe have flamingos if they are not native to the UK?

Flamingos are globally recognised wetland species and play an important educational role in helping visitors connect with wetland ecosystems and wider environmental issues.

At Pensthorpe they act as wetland ambassadors, helping inspire curiosity, learning and conservation engagement.

Their presence helps visitors better understand:
· wetland loss
· biodiversity decline
· conservation challenges
· and the importance of protecting vulnerable ecosystems both locally and globally.

The Wetland Ambassador Project aims to ensure flamingos are cared for within larger, more enriching and progressively designed environments that prioritise welfare, education and meaningful visitor connection.

The project has been designed to:
· significantly increase enclosure space
· create environments substantially larger than current guidance requirements
· improve environmental enrichment
· support more natural behaviours such as foraging, display and nesting
· introduce dedicated off-show areas within each environment for quieter management, welfare and veterinary needs
· improve management and veterinary access
· create more immersive but lower-stress viewing opportunities
· strengthen resilience during avian influenza restrictions

As understanding of animal welfare evolves, it is important that environments evolve too.

The aim is to create larger, more enriching and progressively designed crane and flamingo environments which prioritise long-term welfare, resilience and species wellbeing.

Protecting wildlife in the wild is incredibly important and forms a major part of wider conservation work linked to Pensthorpe Conservation Trust.

However, connecting people with wildlife is also essential.

Experiencing species up close can help inspire understanding, empathy and long-term support for conservation and habitat protection.

The project is designed to help visitors better understand wetlands, biodiversity loss and the importance of protecting vulnerable ecosystems.

Historically, many wildlife collections focused on viewing animals from behind fences or static viewing areas.

The Wetland Ambassador Project aims to create a more immersive and educational experience, guiding visitors through and alongside wildlife environments in a way that encourages deeper understanding and connection, whilst maintaining high welfare standards.

Through immersive pathways, elevated boardwalks, varied viewing points and integrated interpretation, the project has been designed to create a more modern and engaging way for people to appreciate and connect with wildlife.

Accessibility is a major part of the project.

Planned improvements include:

• step-free pathways
• accessible viewing opportunities
• elevated boardwalks
• covered viewing spaces
• varying viewing heights
• improved educational access

The aim is to help more people experience wetlands and wildlife in an immersive and inclusive way.

Visitors will experience:
· closer and more immersive wildlife viewing
· improved educational interpretation
· accessible pathways and viewing areas
· enhanced crane and flamingo environments
· new opportunities for talks, learning and engagement

Unlike more traditional wildlife experiences where visitors primarily observe from behind fences or within static hides, the redevelopment has been designed to guide visitors through and alongside the environments themselves.

Through immersive pathways, elevated boardwalks, varied viewing points and integrated interpretation, the aim is to create a more modern and engaging way for people to connect with wildlife, whilst still maintaining high welfare standards for the species in our care.

The project is intended to create a much more immersive and memorable wetland wildlife experience, with some elements designed to be among the most progressive visitor experiences of their kind within the UK.

Yes.

The project includes plans for enhanced educational infrastructure and interpretation spaces, helping support:
· school visits
· public talks
· wetland learning
· species interpretation
· conservation engagement

Pensthorpe Conservation Trust already works with over 3,000 school children annually, alongside helping educate more than 110,000 visitors each year.

The project aims to further strengthen this educational role and establish the redevelopment as a nationally recognised example of immersive wildlife education.

The wider Wetland Ambassador Project vision is expected to require investment in excess of £300,000.

Pensthorpe Conservation Trust has already committed approximately £150,000 towards the project, supporting:
· increased crane enclosure sizes
· major welfare improvements
· immersive redevelopment of the existing crane and flamingo areas
· initial netted welfare areas for cranes and flamingos
· accessibility improvements

Additional fundraising and sponsorship support will help deliver the wider long-term vision shown within the project masterplan and CGI concepts, including further immersive infrastructure, educational spaces and expanded visitor experience elements.

The ambition is to create one of the UK’s most progressive and welfare-led wetland wildlife experiences.

The project is being delivered through Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, the charity linked to Pensthorpe.

While the Trust has already committed significant funding towards the redevelopment, additional donations, sponsorship and fundraising support will help:
· expand the scope of the project
· deliver additional immersive and educational elements
· improve accessibility features
· support interpretation and engagement
· help realise the wider long-term vision shown within the masterplan

Businesses may also be able to support the project through practical contributions such as materials, infrastructure, landscaping products or specialist services.

All donations made towards the project will be ringfenced specifically for the Wetland Ambassador Project.

Donations are received and managed by Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and are ringfenced specifically for the Wetland Ambassador Project.

es.

There will be a range of future opportunities for:

• public support
• sponsorship
• corporate partnerships
• donor recognition
• named features and spaces
• fundraising involvement

Further details will be released as the project develops.

The project is currently progressing through planning and development stages.

Subject to approvals and fundraising progress, the aspiration is for the project to be completed by Spring 2027.

Yes, bird welfare will remain the priority throughout the project.

Construction and habitat works will be carefully planned around welfare, operational and seasonal considerations wherever possible.

Some areas of the site may experience temporary disruption during phases of construction.

However, we will aim to minimise visitor impact wherever possible and keep visitors updated throughout the project journey.

There will be several ways to support the Wetland Ambassador Project, including:

• donations
• sponsorship
• fundraising campaigns
• corporate partnerships
• future supporter opportunities

Supporters will be helping create a long-term wetland education, accessibility and welfare project for future generations.