Rainham Marshes opens wildlife centre

This Easter (Saturday 11th April 2009) the RSPB-protected Rainham Marshes nature reserve in East London is opening the doors on a new half a million pound education facility, just as up to 80 species of birds are expected to arrive in Britain.

The project has seen three old four-tonne shipping containers converted into state-of the-art discovery centres complete with observation platforms in front of a newly constructed area of wetland with a dedicated kingfisher sandbank. It has been timed to coincide with the peak in the migration season when Swallows, Housemartins, Cuckoos and Wheateaters, among others, are expected to arrive to nest in the area.

Forming part of the regeneration of East London ahead of London 2012, the development of Rainham Marshes has been designed to open up the nature reserve for children and families. It is part of an ambition to improve outside spaces along a 70km stretch from the Isle of Dogs to Southend-on-Sea and takes the Thames Gateway area one step closer to becoming the UKs first eco-region .

Funded by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) and other partners, the £500,000 improvements to the nature reserve includes the construction of an underwater marshland aquarium and newly built boardwalks from which children can go pond-dipping to explore what lies beneath the murky water.

The project is expected to see 5,000 school children and 60,000 visitors using the discovery centre every year.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• rainham
• marshes
• rspb
• birds
• london
• thames
• gateway
• valley
• voles
• otter

[ilovearsenal300]

LOCAL to me great place for a nice jog :p