Welcome to LIFE WADER

Welcome to LIFE WADER

WADER:

Water and Disturbance Environmental Restoration

A major £5.8m nature recovery project to reverse the decline of river, coastal and marine habitats and wildlife in the Tweed Catchment and on the Northumberland Coast.

Beach

About LIFE WADER...

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.

70,242

hectares
LIFE WADER covers an area of 70,242 hectares from Amble in the South to Berwick in the North.

49,000

hectares
LIFE WADER is a partnership aiming to improve the ecological condition of more than 49,000 hectares of habitat and water.

£5.8

million
LIFE WADER is a £5.8m nature recovery project. It started in 2021 and will run for 5 years.

60

percent
Northumberland has lost almost 60% of its breeding Ringed Plovers.

3

million
Northumberland recieves 3 million coastal visitors annually, and there is little respite from visitor pressure.

Led by Natural England,
Funded by the EU LIFE programme.

The project is a partnership which brings together a range of organisations and experts, combining resources and expertise. The project sites are part of the European NATURA 2000 Network and the International Emerald Network because they host internationally threatened species and habitats.
European Commission Partner Logo

Activities

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.

Water Quaility Graphic
Macroalgae Graphic
Invasive Species Graphic
Wildlife Disturbance Graphic
Demo Projects Graphic

Water Quality

Despite efforts by the agricultural sector and investment by water companies, diffuse pollution levels are very high across the Tweed. WADER is working to improve the water quality of the Tweed catchment.

Overview
Tweed Story
River Restoration
Soils
Wetlands
Woodland

Macroalgae

Honing it’s focus on Budle Bay, which has been heavily affected by macroalgae in recent years, the WADER team will consider whether it is feasible to restore the habitats impacted by the algae.

Overview
Analysis
Map
Modelling
Removal

Invasive Species

Targeting invasive species across the riparian, coastal and marine areas, Wader is exploring new non-chemical ways of removing and controlling INNS and protecting native species and sensitive habitats from their encroachment.

Overview
Dune
Freshwater
Marine
Species Spotlight

Disturbance

Designated to protect some of the most important habitats and species on the coast, Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is receiving additional support from the LIFE WADER project to help them in their mission to reduce this disturbance.

Overview
Engagement
Refuges
Species Spotlight

Demonstration Projects

WADER will pilot innovative approaches to reduce diffuse pollution, manage invasive species, tackle macroalgae and reduce wildlife disturbance.

Overview
Cover Crops
Farmyard Manure
Foreshore Fencing
Plastic Free Tree Support
Solar Powered Water Troughs

Activities

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.
Water Quaility Graphic
Macroalgae Graphic
Invasive Species Graphic
Wildlife Disturbance Graphic
Demo Projects Graphic

Water Quality

Despite efforts by the agricultural sector and investment by water companies, diffuse pollution levels are very high across the Tweed. WADER is working to improve the water quality of the Tweed catchment.

Overview
Tweed Story
River Restoration
Soils
Wetlands
Woodland

Macroalgae

Honing it’s focus on Budle Bay, which has been heavily affected by macroalgae in recent years, the WADER team will consider whether it is feasible to restore the habitats impacted by the algae.

Overview
Analysis
Map
Modelling
Removal

Disturbance

Designated to protect some of the most important habitats and species on the coast, Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is receiving additional support from the LIFE WADER project to help them in their mission to reduce this disturbance.

Overview
Engagement
Refuges
Species Spotlight

Invasive Species

Targeting invasive species across the riparian, coastal and marine areas, Wader is exploring new non-chemical ways of removing and controlling INNS and protecting native species and sensitive habitats from their encroachment.

Overview
Dune
Freshwater
Marine
Species Spotlight

Demonstration Projects

WADER will pilot innovative approaches to reduce diffuse pollution, manage invasive species, tackle macroalgae and reduce wildlife disturbance.

Overview
Cover Crops
Farmyard Manure
Foreshore Fencing
Plastic Free Tree Support
Solar Powered Water Troughs

Supporting Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve

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.

Nutrient Pollution: Global Action Network

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.

Predicted Ocean Graphic

3: A predicted ocean where society understands and can respond to changing ocean conditions.

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Latest News

The LIFE WADER project is endorsed by UN Ocean Decade
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: 1Understand 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. 2Protect 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.

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.