New wetland created in Ribble Valley as part of restoration

It is part of a major restoration project, led by Ribble Rivers Trust and local landowners, at Cow Ark.

The recently completed works have created a thriving habitat mosaic where wildlife can flourish.

Wetlands and wader scrapes now hold water for longer, providing vital feeding grounds for wading birds and homes for amphibians and invertebrates.

Newly planted hedgerows link up existing habitats, giving cover and nesting opportunities for birds and small mammals, while woodland areas provide shade, stabilise soils, and capture carbon.

A hedgerow bursting with life 3 months after planting (Image: Supplied)

As well as improving biodiversity, these features bring practical benefits for local communities. Wet ditches and natural flood management measures have been introduced to slow the flow of rainwater across the land.

This helps trap sediment before it reaches rivers, reduces the risk of flooding downstream, and ensures water availability during dry periods—vital for both people and nature.

The landowner has also embraced wildlife-friendly practices by installing dead hedges and log piles for insects, reptiles, and small mammals, and adjusting grassland management to encourage wildflowers and pollinator species.

One of the newly created wetland features at Cow Ark wetlands (Image: Supplied)

Just a few months ago, the area told a very different story.

Once dominated by monoculture grassland, the site offered very little for wildlife and few benefits for soil health, water storage, or carbon capture.

With almost no structural diversity, it lacked the resilience to withstand extreme weather, leaving both wildlife and people vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change.

By replacing low-quality grassland with wetlands, woodland, and hedgerows, the project has restored natural processes that underpin healthy ecosystems.

Wildlife now has food and shelter, water quality is improving, carbon is being locked away in vegetation and soil, and the land is better equipped to manage floodwater naturally.

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Although the major works are complete, further enhancements are planned, including wetland plug planting to increase biodiversity.

The project was funded by the Species Survival Fund, a £25 million initiative administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of DEFRA.

Ribble Rivers Trust has secured £1.65 million from the fund to drive nature recovery across the Ribble Catchment, working with farmers, landowners, and conservation partners to restore more than 3,300 hectares of vital habitat.