Baza danych projektów PROW
The Dragonfly Centre @ Wicken Fen
Summary
The National Trust, through the Dragonfly Project Partnership, established a Dragonfly Centre in the Fens Adventurers area to enhance the tourism potential of Wicken Fen, an historic nature reserve in Britain.
Background
Wicken Fen is Britain's oldest nature reserve and is one of Europe's most important wetlands. The reserve is a key environmental asset of the Fens Adventurers area, and is a major tourism feature, attracting close to 40 000 visitors per year. Wicken Fen hosts 24 different species of dragonflies and was considered to be ideally placed for establishing a new tourism attraction around this theme.
Objective
The main objective was to establish a new and specialist visitor attraction, the Dragonfly Centre, to enhance the tourism offer at Wicken Fen. A long term objective was to ensure the sustainability and viability of Wicken Fen as one of the key tourism attractions in the Fens Adventurers area. The project also aimed to enhance biodiversity and increase public awareness of insect species, in particular dragonfly species.
Main activities
The Dragonfly Centre is located within an old Fen Cottage on the Wicken Fen site. The cottage was vacant before the project, and in fact had been semi-derelict since the 1950s. Renovating and converting the cottage into the new Dragonfly Centre was the main activity. Additionally, specialist equipment and hands-on interpretation material in the form of microscopes, TVs and colourful displays, as well as demonstration dragonfly ponds were provided.
Results & Benefits
The Dragonfly Centre is the home for the Dragonfly Project Partnership and is the new British Dragonfly Museum. Used as a base for conducting dragonfly safaris, guided tours and walks, and general tailored tuition courses, the centre is now receiving nearly 40,000 visitors per year. Revenues to Wicken Fen are also well up. Additional benefits include improved biodiversity and access to the countryside.
Lessons learnt
A high-profile launch event inaugurated by the nation's most famous dragonfly enthusiast and presenter of the BBC TV's Spring Watch, has been critical for the visibility of the new centre. Capitalising on existing assets and the reputation of the area for biodiversity has been central to the success of the project. Finding a suitable modern use for an old building has made renovation and preservation worthwhile and sustainable.
Project location and other information
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Wicken village, Ely.
Region
East of England
RDP Territory
England
Total project cost (€)
83 430
EAFRD contribution (€)
39 210
National contribution (€)
9 450
Private contribution (€)
34 770
Project website
Contact name
Mr Chris Soans, Wicken Fen Property Manager
Telephone
00 44 1353 720274
Languages for contact
English
Document attachment
At a glance
Country
United Kingdom
Final beneficiary type
Other
Budget range
€20 000 - €99 999
Start date:
05/05/2009
End Date:
31/03/2010
Theme / Measure:
Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
Rural economic diversification
313. Encouragement of tourism activities
Keywords:
Biodiversity, Rural tourism, Eco-tourism, National park
Last update
25/07/2012