- Location: You’ll find 9 nature reserves dotted across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Founded: Sir Peter Scott started it all back in 1946.
- Species: Barnacle Goose, Bewick’s Swan, Brazilian Merganser, Common Crane, Common Scoter, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Madagascar Pochard, Red-breasted Goose, Scaly-sided Merganser, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Tadpole Shrimp, Water Vole, and Whooper Swan.
About Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is an international charity based in England. They’re all about saving waterfowl and the wetlands they call home.
Their main focus? Conserving wildfowl habitats. They team up with local governments, landowners, farmers, water companies, developing countries, and other conservation groups to make it happen.
Sir Peter Scott founded the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in 1946. It’s a conservation charity that looks after wild waterfowl and the wild shores they depend on.
They work hard to protect natural habitats and wildlife that need a helping hand—both now and for the long haul. Preservation isn’t just a buzzword for them; it’s what they do.
See Related: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s Mission
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is a nature conservation charity. They’re out to protect the world’s wetlands and coastal habitats—no small feat.
The trust works to safeguard wetlands, coastal habitats, and other important wild places all over the globe. It started small, but now Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust stands as one of the UK’s biggest charities, caring for 20 sites and over 200 species worldwide.
Honestly, their success comes down to people—individuals, foundations, and companies who want to protect wildlife for future generations. Without that support, things would look pretty bleak for wetlands.
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust depends on the generosity of folks like you to keep wetlands and coastal habitats safe. They’re a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 206890), and there’s a sister organization, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust International, over in Guernsey (no. 229).
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Projects
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust protects wetlands and their wildlife by raising awareness and educating people. They also work to spot and tackle threats to the future of ecosystems and species before it’s too late.
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Llanelli National Wetlands Centre
Llanelli National Wetlands Centre sits in the west of Wales. It’s a great spot for watching migratory, non-migratory, and resident ducks—there’s always something going on.
Researchers, local communities, and curious families all use the center to get a closer look at wildfowl behavior. It’s not just for scientists; anyone can learn something new here.
A BBC article once quoted Sir Peter Scott, who spoke passionately about the world’s wild waterfowl. “Many people don’t understand anything about these waterfowls,” he said, pointing out that they’ve been around for millions of years—just quietly living their lives while other animals steal the spotlight.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust jumps in to save wetlands by working with local governments, landowners, and more to protect waterfowl habitats. They focus on raising awareness about threats to wildfowl and act before those threats wipe out entire ecosystems.
The center opens year-round, but on weekdays you’ll only catch it from 1 pm to 4 pm. Tickets run £9 for adults, £6 for kids, and little ones under 5 get in free.
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How many WWT Wetland Centres are in the UK?
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust runs ten dedicated wetland centres across the UK. They’re a British charity, all about saving wetlands and boosting wetland wildlife.
Since 1946, WWT has gathered over a million supporters and now manages more than forty sites with thousands of volunteers pitching in all over the country.
They lead the way in wild bird conservation, fighting to save our birds for the next generation. No one else does it quite like them.
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How do you use WWT vouchers?
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust stands out as a top international conservation charity. They protect wetlands—vital spaces for birds, animals, and plants.
Want to help? They offer plenty of ways to get involved, from donations to fundraising. Every bit counts.
One fun way to support them: grab a “Little Experience Voucher” for £20. Use it for educational visits, workshops, or classes. Honestly, it’s up to you!
Each Wildfowl & Wetland voucher is worth £20 and works for all sorts of things—like:
- Wildfowl Drawing Lesson – Artists from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust run the Wildfowl School of Painting.
- Wildfowl Experiences—choose from one-day or two-day adventures, or even RSPB annual membership.
- Gifts – Why not pick up Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Christmas cards or a calendar? They’ve got a whole bunch of gift ideas if you need inspiration.
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Wildcard – The Wildcard gets you free entrance on the day of use at over 100 RSPB nature reserves in the UK and Ireland. One card covers the holder plus up to three adults, and you can join in on free family activities like craft sessions, nature walks, and feeder watches led by RSPB staff.
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How to help
Want to make a difference? You can support the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and their mission to protect wildlife and wetlands around the globe by making a donation on their website.
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How much is a membership?
Student memberships run $60.00. If you’re looking for an Individual Membership, that’s $100.00. And for those going big, a corporate membership comes in at $500.00.
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Key 2026 Takeaways
## Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Overview The **Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)** is a UK-based conservation charity founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott. It works to **restore, create and protect wetlands**, conserve waterbirds and other wetland wildlife, and raise awareness of the importance of healthy wetlands for people and the environment. WWT manages a network of UK wetland reserves, conducts scientific research, supports conservation projects internationally, and provides education and guidance on wetland protection. Its headquarters and first reserve are at **Slimbridge, Gloucestershire**. (Sources: [WWT](https://www.wwt.org.uk/), [WWT wetland sites](https://www.wwt.org.uk/our-work/wetland-sites), [UK Charity Commission](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1030884/full-print), [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/place/The-Wildfowl-and-Wetlands-Trust)) ### Key takeaways – **Founded:** 1946 by conservationist Sir Peter Scott. – **Core mission:** Protect, restore and create wetlands for wildlife and people. – **Wildlife focus:** Waterbirds, threatened species and wider wetland biodiversity. – **Practical work:** Habitat restoration, scientific research, conservation partnerships and public education. – **UK presence:** A network of wetland reserves, including the pioneering Slimbridge site. – **Global importance:** WWT promotes wetland conservation beyond its own reserves through research, guidance and international collaboration. – **Why wetlands matter:** They support biodiversity, help manage water, store carbon and provide important benefits for communities.