Mary Creagh MP, Minister for Nature at Martlesham Wilds in Suffolk
Mary Creagh MP, the nature minister, visited the Martlesham Wilds nature reserve, near Woodbridge, yesterday alongside Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal.
On the visit, Mary examined the rewilding work being carried out by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The land had previously been an organic farm and has now become a recognised nature reserve after the Trust bought the 289 acres site in 2023 following a fundraising campaign which attracted some £1 million in donations.
The land now has a range of habitats, including salt marsh, grazing marsh, woodland and reedbeds. in September a new 11 mile path opened passing through the reserve, creating a walkable 26 mile coastline trail along the River Debden.
Mary said the work was an example of how biodiversity could be delivered at scale.
“Nature reserves like this are a real inspiration – and actually an exemplar – in ‘what good for nature, and good for people’ looks like," she said.
Mary Creagh MP and Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, Labour MP for Suffolk Coastal