February 2 is World Wetlands Day, a day which draws attention to our need to revive and restore degraded wetlands.

Wetlands provide a vital ecosystem supporting wildlife, people and the planet so it’s in all of our interests to find out more about them, to protect them and take whatever steps we can to minimise their loss.

Over the past 50 years, 35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared. Here in Hertfordshire, wetland cover is just 1% of the total county area and sits below the national average of 3%. Where ancient remnants of wetland habitat exist in the county, these are a high priority for restoration for the Trust and, for where the opportunity exists, to expand and connect them - especially where they lie alongside rivers, making a natural pathway for wildlife.

Vital wetland sites

Did you know that for 25 miles, from Ware in Hertfordshire to its confluence with the River Thames, the Lea Valley boasts more open water than the Norfolk Broads? This patchwork of water-filled, former gravel pits and reservoirs provides an important habitat for wildlife and is internationally recognised for the many wildfowl who flock here to seek refuge over winter, specifically for Gadwall and Shoveler.

Sitting within the Lea Valley, near the town of Ware in Hertfordshire, lies Amwell Nature Reserve. This is part of a wildlife corridor that reaches all the way to the Thames and a site which can be visited and enjoyed throughout the year. Here, you can spot plentiful wildfowl, a great range of gulls, and the rarer Smew. In its reedbeds Bittern lurk, perfectly camouflaged to escape all but the sharpest of human eyes. Altogether more showy are the iridescent dragonflies and damselflies, which hunt above the water. They can be sought and admired close-up via Amwell’s Dragonfly Trail, which is usually open from May to September. The trail features a purpose-built boardwalk which sits on stilts and provides the perfect viewing platform to catch sight of the 21 species of dragonfly and damselfly that have been recorded here – though multiple visits are likely to be required to see them all!

Elsewhere across the county, the wetland habitats that we look after vary enormously in personality. For example, Thorley Wash, located to the south of Bishop’s Stortford near the village of Spellbrook is one of a string of wetlands flanking the Stort Navigation. This reserve comes alive with birdsong in springtime and is home to a rich variety of wildflowers, as well as to the endangered Water Vole, which was reintroduced here in 2015.

Springwell Reedbed at Rickmansworth might be in a built-up area but as the largest reedbed in the London area, it provides an important refuge for wildlife. The reeds improve the water quality in the Colne Valley as they absorb pollution from the water as they grow. These reeds also provide a haven for the Harvest Mouse - it weaves its nest around the stalks of Common Reed. At dusk, bats can be seen hunting for moths over the water.

Although not far away, Stocker’s Lake, owned by Affinity Water and managed by the Trust, is an entirely different wetland habitat – a 90-acre former gravel pit, which would have originally served the development of many London buildings, including the original Wembley Stadium, this is now a vast and attractive lake where wildlife and people congregate. A nationally important place for wintering birds, such as Goldeneye and Smew, amongst many other divers and dabblers, Stocker’s Lake also houses the largest heronry in Hertfordshire.

The Trust is hosting a free, family-friendly Walk at Stocker’s Lake on Saturday 18 February – the perfect opportunity to find out more about the habitat and its inhabitants – please click on the link to register.

You can carry on this journey by discovering more about the wetlands on our nature reserves here.

How you can take action for wetlands

Using water more sparingly is one simple action where, collectively, we can make a positive impact. Check out the ‘Save Water Save Wildlife’ video we produced with Affinity Water, in association with Groundwork South and the Colne Valley Regional Park, for lots of tips and ideas here.

If you would like to contribute to a positive picture for the future of wetlands, why not consider creating a pond at home or within your community? Ponds of all sizes attract wildlife and improve biodiversity so yours doesn’t have to be big or lavish – you can even make a mini pond with a washing-up bowl! Find out more here.

If you are able to support us financially, a donation of £25 will help us to restore wetland habitats for Water Voles and would be very much appreciated – please click on this link to give what you can. However, practical help in looking after our precious habitats is very welcome too. You could consider volunteering with us? Want to try it out first, then register to come along to our Practical Conservation Taster Session at Cassiobury Park on 22 March.

On this World Wetlands Day, please think about what you can do to protect our wetlands for our wildlife and for the next generations. Thank you.