The Nature Recovery Project and National Trust Celebrate Landmark Milestone at Wicken Fen as Partnership Restores UK Peatlands

The Nature Recovery Project (TNRP) is proud to celebrate a historic milestone at Wicken Fen, the National Trust’s iconic reserve in Cambridgeshire, which has officially recorded its 10,000th species of wildlife - the first site in the UK to achieve this. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the incredible resilience of nature when given the space, care, and investment to thrive.

Wicken Fen, the UK’s oldest National Trust nature reserve, has been a beacon of biodiversity for more than 120 years. Its expansion from just two acres in 1899 to more than 820 hectares today has provided a thriving haven for thousands of species, from glow-worms and water voles to rare moths and orchids. Now, through our partnership with the National Trust, its restoration efforts will go even further.

Restoring Peatlands, Reviving Nature

In addition to Wicken Fen’s extraordinary biodiversity milestone, the partnership between the National Trust and The Nature Recovery Project will focus on restoring one of the UK’s most critical and threatened ecosystems: lowland peatlands. Peatlands cover only 3% of the world’s surface yet store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. In the UK, more than 80% of these vital ecosystems are degraded, releasing over 20 million tonnes of CO₂ each year.

Together, we are addressing this urgent challenge by restoring degraded peatlands at Wicken Fen and beyond, improving water retention, reintroducing native flora and fauna, and supporting sustainable land-use practices. One of them is paludiculture, a wetland-friendly farming approach that allows for continued productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

TNRP’s Contribution to Biodiversity Growth

Through funding, The Nature Recovery Project is contributing directly to the restoration of fenland species and habitats. Our investment is helping to create more wildlife corridors, expand natural spaces, and strengthen ecosystems to support even more species, particularly in the face of a changing climate. This work ensures that biodiversity not only survives but also flourishes, securing the future of species-rich landscapes like Wicken Fen.

James Berry, Head of Strategy at TNRP, said:
“The survival of species, including our own, depends on functioning ecosystems. At Wicken Fen, we see what is possible when space and resources are dedicated to nature. The recording of the 10,000th species is not just a number; it is proof that restoration efforts are effective. Through our partnership with the National Trust, we are excited to scale peatland restoration and create a model where thriving biodiversity coexists with sustainable land use. This will unlock one of the most powerful pathways to stop emissions from the nation’s largest natural emitter while building a future where people and nature thrive together.”

Building a Legacy of Recovery

With over 10,000 species now recorded at Wicken Fen and new restoration projects underway, the message is clear: when nature is given the opportunity, it rebounds with abundance. Through this partnership, TNRP and the National Trust are committed to scaling that recovery, transforming peatlands from carbon sources back into carbon sinks, and building resilient landscapes where biodiversity thrives for generations to come.