– Restore, Recreate and Reconnect

Essex Wildlife Trust needs to raise vital funds to turn the largest landfill site in into a superb nature park, where wildlife will flourish and people will have open access to a wonderful green space.  This is a UNIQUE project.

Essex Wildlife Trust needs to raise £100,000, which will release over £2.85 million of grants.  Every £20 you donate will release £570 for the support of your wildlife in .

The transformation of Mucking landfill site into a Living Landscape will be the biggest project Essex Wildlife Trust has every delivered.  The site is 845 acres and will be turned into tremendous habitats for coastal and wetland wildlife, as well as very important grassland, new and ancient woodlands and hedgerows.

Mucking itself is positioned right on the working River Thames and the new visitor centre will afford fantastic views over the mudflats and  River Thames.   The area will be an avian hotspot and  already provides an ideal habitat for internationally important numbers of Ringed Plover and Avocets as well as nationally important numbers of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank.   The is situated between East Tilbury and Stanford le Hope, just off the A13.

will become part of a truly Living Landscape for , where the Park abuts Mucking Flats, Stanford Marshes and East Tilbury Quarries.  The whole area will cover a vast 1,300 acres, all of it being managed for Essex wildlife and for the people of to enjoy.

The will be important for many species of wildlife including Barn Owls, Water Voles (our fastest declining species), Harvest Mouse, Skylark, butterflies and  invertebrates.  However, these will not be the only beneficiaries, Exmoor Ponies will graze the site and people will be able to enjoy over 12 miles of new footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways.  The new visitor centre will have an observation room and allow views of the nature park from the roof.  Birds hides will be provided and a natural play area for children to enjoy.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.  Every £20 that you donate will release £570 worth of grants to take this project forward.  Everyone who donates will be invited to a special ceremony when the park is opened and will be kept up-to-date with a  special newsletter in the interim.  Please donate now – we have to raise the money by 31 July 2010 to continue with our biggest every project!

We need your help NOW, join us in restoring this land back to wildlife and to the people of !