Tame Valley Wetlands
Nearly two million people live near the River Tame – the main river flowing out of Birmingham. The River Tame and its floodplain is heavily influenced by human activity and has seen many changes. Over the last century areas of the floodplain have been drained, woodland has been cleared and the river has been heavily engineered and polluted.
Despite this historical damage, the river is now cleaner and the old sand and gravel workings, which once blighted the landscape, now help to form the largest series of interconnected wetlands in Warwickshire.
Where are the Tame Valley Wetlands?
The Tame Valley Wetlands are located between Birmingham and Tamworth following 29 km of the River Tame. They are situated within the administrative areas of in North Warwickshire, Solihull, Birmingham and south-east Staffordshire. The wetlands cover an area of over 1,000 hectares, hosting a variety of important habitats and a rich diversity of species.
A landscape partnership was established in 2005 including a variety of organisations such as local councils, groups, charities and statutory bodies and led by Warwickshire Wildlife The and the area was designated as the Tame Valley Wetlands NIA. (Nature Improvement Area) in 2017.
£705,000 from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund for Love your River Cole
Our Love Your River Cole project is one of the first environmental projects awarded a grant from the government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund. We are leading a partnership which has secured £705,000 to help transform the Cole valley in the West Midlands.
Read more about Love your River Cole
The vision is ‘to create a wetland landscape, rich in wildlife and accessible to all’
From 2014-2019, the partnership (supported by the Tame Valley Wetlands team) delivered a £2.5 million scheme with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other sources. This included a series of conservation projects to restore heritage and improve the area for wildlife, whilst also reconnecting local people with their landscape. They did this by improving access and learning, so that everyone can enjoy the Tame Valley Wetlands.
On a tree by a river
Working in partnership with the RSPB and the West Midlands Bird Club, the Tame Valley Wetlands Partnership led by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has been successful in securing £20,020 via the Severn Trent Water Boost for Biodiversity Fund. This project aims to secure the future of the iconic willow tit in the Tame Valley - one of its last strongholds in the county. Read more here.
The Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership continues to provide training and volunteering opportunities so that local people can gain heritage conservation skills, deliver a programme of exciting events and activities aimed at all ages and interests, and offer education sessions to local schools.
The team is also currently carrying out restoration projects based around the River Blythe SSSI, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and the River Cole, funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Regular updates are posted on the website www.tamevalleywetlands.co.uk and social media pages:
