Rutland Water nature reserve praised by local MEP

Rutland Water Nature Reserve welcomed East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin this week, as she met with RSPB representatives to talk about their latest projects.

Miss McClarkin met with Colin Wilkinson and Jane Gillow from the RSPB, as well as Tim Appleton and Simon Bentley of Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, who manage the nature reserve.

Emma McClarkin MEP with Tim Appleton

The meeting saw discussions about linking economic development with nature conservation (especially housing and minerals), which the RSPB is involved in within the Midlands, as well as discussing wider EU-related biodiversity issues, such as the important role the Birds and Habitats Directives have in underpinning nature conservation.

The local MEP was also given a tour of the new Volunteer Training Centre and parts of the nature reserve, including new habitats created by Anglian Water, which will compensate for the predicted effects of increased water abstraction on Rutland Water’s internationally important bird life.

Miss McClarkin said:

“The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust are doing a fantastic job conserving and creating fabulous habitats for our bird life. Today was a great opportunity to see and to talk about the work they are doing around conservation, and how EU legislation impacts on this.

“Rutland Water nature reserve is one of the most important homes for nature in the East Midlands, and it’s great to see the new volunteer training centre thriving too, with many giving up their free time to share their skills.”