Residents are being invited to learn more about ambitious plans to restore more than 1,300 hectares of floodplain wetlands along the River Severn between Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
The project, called Eelscapes, is part of a national pilot funded by Defra and aims to create nature-rich habitats to support endangered species such as the European eel and true fox-sedge, while also offering benefits for local communities.
Conservation charities WWT and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) have been working with the Environment Agency, land managers and councils for the past two years to develop the proposals.
A public drop-in session will take place on Tuesday, 7 October, from 3–7pm at The Folk of Gloucester, Westgate Street. It follows a similar event in Tewkesbury, where residents praised the project’s plans to improve access at Tewkesbury Nature Reserve.
Ben Spencer, stakeholder advisor at GWT, said the proposals would help land absorb and hold water more naturally, reducing flood and drought risks and supporting farm resilience.
Jenni Blakeman, GWT’s Head of Landscape Recovery, added that the long-term vision would help deliver the UK Government’s pledge to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, while providing educational, health and wellbeing opportunities for local communities.
The project is supported by Natural England through a Defra Landscape Recovery Development Grant. Computer-generated images showing how the Severn Vale could look in 2045 are available to view online.