Local MP James Duddridge Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East and Local MP Mark Francois Member of Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford Show their Support for the Work of RSPB and Wallasea Island Wild Coast project.
Earlier this week, James Duddridge MP for Rochford and Southend East and Mark Francois MP for Rayleigh and Wickford attended the RSPB Parliamentary event in the Houses of Parliament.
Wallasea Island lies within the Crouch and Roach estuaries. Both James and Mark Francois believe that the Wallasea Island Wild Coast project run by RSPB is of significant importance to the region and surrounding areas. Currently, the site sits within an internationally important estuary, close to the Thames Gateway - one of Europe's largest economic regeneration areas. It will create a huge expanse of habitat for wildlife and birds, whose existing habitats are being damaged and lost because of climate change. The range of habitats recreated on the island will include mudflats, saltmarsh, saline lagoons and brackish marsh.
Earlier in the month, a group of senior officials from Shanghai, China embarked on a 4 day trip to the UK to sign a joint Wetland Affiliation Agreement between the RSPB at Wallasea Island and the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve. The RSPB’s Wallasea Island team has been assisting with the development of new wetland habitats in Shanghai as part of its international programme for the globally threatened spoon-billed sandpiper.
Their trip included a trip to the ground breaking Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project as well as Hanson-RSPB wetland project in Cambridgeshire, where innovative conservation work has inspired such international interest.
James Duddridge MP said:
“RSPB are important to constituencies like my own and many others like it. The project is a welcomed response to help restore and transform the island back to its former glory but most importantly, help the coast and its wildlife adapt in the face of climate change. Restoring the island and others like it will help create and maintain an array of suitable habitats for national and international bird populations and other wildlife which we and the generations to come can enjoy."
Mark Francois MP Said:
"At the reception we met with Dr Mike Clarke, the Chief Executive of the RPSB, who told us that based on their experience at Wallasea Island they are now advising the Chinese authorities on establishing a similar wetland habitat on the outskirts of Shanghai. I am delighted to hear that the RSPB are exporting their knowledge in order to help wildlife projects around the world.”
Jeff Kew, RSPB Project Development Manager:
“The Wallasea Wild Coast Project and others like it are helping to restore some of the lost homes for wildlife in the UK and around the world. They are living proof of what nature conservation charities, industry and communities working together to save nature can achieve. Support from senior politicians to implement policies and legislation that help protect and restore nature is absolutely vital to these efforts. At Wallasea Island the RSPB’s work has benefited greatly from the support and leadership of local MPs, which has helped deliver homes for wildlife and a place for people to visit and enjoy.”
