World Wetland Day 2026
A wetland is defined as land that is saturated or flooded with water, either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands can be inland (such as marshes, lakes, rivers, floodplains, peatlands and swamps), coastal (saltmarshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs) or man-made (scrapes, drainage ditches, fishponds, rice paddies and salt pans).
When we consider ecosystem loss, many of us think first of the accelerated rate of deforestation in places such as the Amazon. While this is deeply alarming, the fact is that wetlands are being lost three times faster than forests.
Wetlands are a superpower habitat. They can support a wide variety of rare flora and fauna, naturally filter water and improve its quality, act as nature’s flood defence, and lock up vast amounts of carbon. Protecting wetland environments is in everyone’s best interest, yet nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have already been degraded.
This degradation is largely driven by the expansion of infrastructure and agricultural practices, which has resulted in wetlands being filled in, diverted or drained to make way for development. Climate change and pollution can also drastically alter, or completely remove, wetland habitats. In addition, key species such as beavers, natural wetland engineers, were hunted almost to extinction across Europe, halting this important form of habitat creation.
Here at Elmore Estate, we recognised the importance of wetlands early in our rewilding journey. In 2023, we created a series of wetland scrapes on land that was already prone to saturation and flooding. These shallow wetlands, with their extensive fringes, provide ideal habitat for wetland and wading birds. Regular visitors include large flocks of mallard and teal, as well as mute swans, heron, snipe and sandpipers. We have also hosted Bewick’s swan, great crested grebes, little grebes, great white egrets, little egrets, and many more.
Elsewhere on the land, several natural ponds support kingfishers, cuckoo, cormorants, numerous dragonflies, fish, mussels, frogs and otters. Our wetlands buzz with life and form some of the most important habitats on the rewilding land.
Looking ahead, we hope to introduce beavers and European tree frogs, which would further accelerate wetland creation and help strengthen and complete local food chains.
World Wetland Day holds a special place in our hearts, raising awareness and acting as a call to arms for those with the power to protect and nurture these invaluable ecosystems. We have already seen a swift ecological response here at Elmore and can vouch for the short-term benefits and joy that wetlands bring. We are highly motivated to continue this journey and to witness the long-term impacts unfold.
By Hazel Alabaster - Elmore Estate Ranger
