Wetlands
The Wetlands project is located between Ickleton and Hinxton, across the Ickleton Level Crossing at the eastern end of Mill Lane. It is owned and sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
The development of the project was part of the latest phase of the development of the campus and represents a highly imaginative approach to managing flood relief by the creation of a water meadow area.
Wetlands Community Group
The Wetlands is funded by the Wellcome Trust and managed by the Wetlands Community Group, with support from the Cambridge Green Belt Trust: a mixed committee including Campus and local community representatives - mostly from Ickleton and Hinxton.
Purpose of Wetlands Project
The project is designed to create an environment which will encourage colonisation over time by a variety of wetland-loving flora and fauna, including water fowl & otters. The site includes such additional features as a purpose converted bat roost. This will form a resource for individual observation of an environment which is fairly rare in the area. In addition, a number of events are planned in which experts will be on hand to explore different aspects of the area's wildlife.
Maintenance
Inevitably a certain amount of work is required to manage the Wetlands site and to ensure that it will evolve into a superb local resource for educational and leisure purposes. Whilst the Trust provides the funds needed to perform landscaping and provide necessary infrastructure, it is very much hoped that both local residents and institute employees will be prepared to provide the muscle power for maintenance work. Not only does this offer a great opportunity to meet other people, but it will in time result in what is by any standards a marvellous local resource.