News

CPRE Award

Wetland enhancements at Castle Water at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve led to an award received by Dr Barry Yates today. Mrs Phyllida Stewart-Roberts, for the Campaign to Protect Rural England judges said “Castle Water created a beautiful and peaceful environment for both visitors and wildlife. This is a very special landscape, a place where you can enjoy sea and nature”.

Leading countryside campaigners applauded ten Sussex countryside projects at the first ever CPRE Sussex Countryside Awards on Tuesday 26th May at Braylsham Castle, near Heathfield, East Sussex. Guests including Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Tim Loughton MP and Charles Hendry MP, congratulated the winners.
Dr Peter Brandon, the well known landscape historian and author who was chair of the judging panel said “I am delighted to be involved with this fantastic initiative which recognises those who have contributed so much for the good of Sussex and our communities. Travelling across the County to visit these inspiring projects and the individuals responsible for them was a great privilege. It was quite exhilarating to view such innovative and sensitive development which will benefit so many.”

Barry Yates, manager of the reserve, said “This award recognizes the successful partnership working that has enabled the improvement of this important wetland at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.”

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve now has many very rare animals living in this new wetland, including the first booming Bittern heard in Sussex for more than a hundred years. Others include the globally threatened Medicinal Leech and the nationally rare Water Vole, Bearded Tit and Marsh Harrier.

The organizations working together include Sussex Wildlife Trust, Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Sussex Ornithological Society, RSPB and East Sussex County Council.

Funding for the reedbed creation came through European Funding called LIFE-Nature and the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

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