Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has successfully partnered with the National Trust, the Environment Agency, and DEFRA’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme with support from Cannock Chase National Landscape Partnership to boost biodiversity across a 30-acre area of the historic Shugborough Estate.

The restoration work, completed by Ebsford Environmental, has transformed the floodplain at Duck Covert, part of the Trent and Sow Washlands project, creating a healthier wetland habitat and increasing the area’s capacity to store water.

The project involved widening the river channel, softening the steep riverbanks, and creating shallow scrapes and pools within the floodplain. These improvements will provide vital benefits for wildlife, supporting fish, insects, birds, and mammals such as otters. It will also help the habitat be more effective at storing carbon.
 
Duck Covert was previously wet but lacked the biodiversity expected in a thriving floodplain. Thanks to this restoration, the area now offers a much richer habitat for a wide range of species.
 
Dave Cadman, Head of Nature Recovery Networks for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust said:

“This exciting project is part of a wider strategic effort to help nature recover in Staffordshire, particularly along the River Trent. Through this work we will be able to demonstrate the value of nature-based solutions and improving water quality and biodiversity by restoring natural floodplains that had been lost through intensified agriculture.”

The project was carefully timed to avoid disturbance to wildlife, with river works carried out outside of fish spawning season. The site remains without public access, ensuring the newly restored habitat can flourish undisturbed.

Funding for the project was secured from multiple sources, including £95,000 from the Environment Agency, £80,000 from DEFRA’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, and contributions from the Trent and Sow Project.
 
Delivering projects of this scale and complexity requires significant coordination and funding. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners for helping us restore an important landscape for nature.”

Greg Williamson, Lead Ranger for Shugborough Estate, said:

“We’re delighted with the results of this work, and have been pleased to work in partnership with our neighbours at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.  Shugborough Estate has a long and rich history of working with water through innovation and agriculture. This project builds on that legacy by enhancing our floodplain habitat for wildlife, while ensuring the estate remains a welcoming place for people and nature alike.”

Emily Farrell, Project Manager for Ebsford Environmental, said: 

“We are proud to be part of such a fantastic project that focuses on restoring our well-loved floodplains to their former glory. By transforming the landscapes, we have improved connectivity and delivered flood alleviation, all while providing ample opportunities for wildlife to thrive.  

It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Trust, and their partners, without whom projects like this would simply not be possible. We have thoroughly enjoyed delivering our works and we can’t wait to see how the floodplains thrive over the forthcoming months."