LIFE WADER will improve the ecological condition and water quality of more than 49,000 hectares of habitat. This will help restore balance to the natural environment and allow it to thrive once more.
We are tackling five major issues with innovative solutions. This will allow nature to thrive and be resilient from source-to-sea – now and in the future and especially in the context of a changing climate.
The Northumberland Coast is home to some of the world’s most important shorebirds, seabirds and wild geese. However, in recent years a marked increase in coastal recreation and climate change have taken a significant toll – precious habitats are diminishing and many species now classified as ‘endangered’.
Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is receiving additional support from WADER to help them reduce disturbance and restore the natural balance.
The Ocean Decade provides a framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to co-design and co-deliver the scientific knowledge and partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the UN 2030 Agenda. LIFE WADER is a Project and our Host Programme is the Nutrient Pollution: Global Action Network.
LIFE WADER is aiming to contribute to two key challenges:
1. Understand and Beat Marine Pollution
To understand and map land and sea-based sources of pollutants and contaminants and their potential impacts on human health and ocean ecosystems, and develop solutions to remove or mitigate them.
2. Protect and Restore Ecosystems and Biodiversity
To understand the effects of multiple stressors on ocean ecosystems, and develop solutions to monitor, protect, manage and restore ecosystems and their biodiversity under changing environmental, social and climate conditions.
LIFE WADER will contribute to the following Decade Outcomes:
1: A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified and reduced or removed.
2: A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood, protected, restored and managed.
3: A predicted ocean where society understands and can respond to changing ocean conditions.
A River Set Free is a ten-minute film that captures the delivery of the river restoration project in the Breamish Valley, Northumberland. Constructed over summer 2025, the project has reconnected the river to its natural floodplain.
The removal of tonnes of macroalgae from Budle Bay Nature Reserve on the Northumberland Coast has been captured in a short film by the LIFE WADER team. The 4-minute film follows the LIFE WADER team and partners as they trial an innovative, low-impact method of removal.
One of the largest river restoration projects in the UK has commenced in the Breamish Valley, Northumberland. The work will see the reinstatement of the meandering river system, bringing huge benefits for wildlife, ecology and man.
LIFE WADER will contribute to the following Decade Outcomes:
1: A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified and reduced or removed
2: A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood, protected, restored and managed.
4: A predicted ocean where society understands and can respond to changing ocean conditions.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
