Bristol aims to become UK's first accredited 'wetland city'

14h

Summary

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is leading a five-year, Aviva-funded £8.9m drive to make Bristol the UK's first accredited 'wetland city'.
The trust hopes Bristol will win accreditation under the Ramsar convention, which recognises cities that protect their urban wetlands.
In September 2026 the trust installed floating wetlands at three sites in Bristol's city-centre harbour, which quickly attracted dragonflies and other wildlife.
The planned programme includes more than 200 projects, from household rainwater ponds and rain gardens to restoring river habitats and reconnecting rivers with floodplains.
Wetlands absorb and store water better than hard surfaces such as concrete, reducing flood risk, and 40% of species worldwide are said to rely on them.
There are 74 accredited wetland cities in 27 countries, none yet in the UK.

Bristol city council leader Tony Dyer said the programme shows how the city can work with nature to tackle its biggest challenges.
Peter Lee, the trust's programmes lead, said wildlife appeared on the floating wetlands within minutes of installation.
Lee said the Aviva funding is seed money to prove the economic case for wetlands so bigger programmes need not rely on philanthropic donations.
Lee recommended managing rainwater where it lands rather than sending it into sewers that overflow during rain.
Louise Kennedy, who manages the project, said restoring wetlands within cities greatly improves biodiversity in an increasingly urbanised world.
Lee forecast commercial returns from the projects, including higher mooring fees and more footfall in the city centre.

Bristol aims to become UK’s first ‘wetland city’ and reduce flood risktheguardian.com· 14h
The Guardian reports on the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust's five-year, Aviva-funded £8.9m drive to make Bristol the UK's first "wetland city", starting with floating wetlands installed in the city-centre harbour that already draw dragonflies and other wildlife. The trust hopes Bristol will win Ramsar accreditation, with more than 200 projects planned to restore wetlands, cut flood risk, and open green and blue spaces to urban residents.