Construction is scheduled to begin next month on a new £1.5 million nature reserve in Hungerford, England. The Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve will be established on about 16 hectares (40 acres) of land located at Undy's Meadow, on the northern edge of the town and near the River Kennet. The project is being spearheaded by The Town and Manor of Hungerford, a charity responsible for organizing the town's Tutti Day celebrations.
According to Kate Edwards of the charity, the nature reserve is intended to be a significant addition to the town. "It's going to be a proper nature reserve; it will be somewhere you can go and sit quietly," Edwards stated. "The focus is the wildlife and we're going to be privileged enough hopefully to sit on the benches, walk the paths and see and hear the willow warblers and the grasshopper warblers. Hopefully lots of wetland birds will come in and use the area."
Edwards also noted the community's strong backing for the plan. The construction timeline is restricted to the months between September and December. Work cannot start before September to avoid disturbing nesting birds, and must conclude by December as the ground becomes too wet for operations afterward. The initial phase of the project, which includes landscaping, pathways, and boardwalks, is anticipated to be completed by next summer.