Vote for Seaton Wetlands!

Black Hole Marsh at Seaton Wetlands - photo courtesy of Matt Willson

East Devon's Seaton Wetlands has been nominated for the Best Nature Reserve category in BBC Countryfile Magazine's 2019 Awards

One of East Devon District Council's most popular nature reserves, Seaton Wetlands, has been shortlisted by BBC Countryfile Magazine for the Best Nature Reserve category in its 2019 Awards, which celebrates the best of the British countryside, as voted for by Countryfile readers.

Voting for the five nominees in each of the Awards' ten separate categories opens today, Friday 18 January 2019 and the public have until 11.59pm on Sunday 17 February 2019 to vote for their favourite nominee either online or via a postal form in the print version of BBC Countryfile Magazine.

Situated between Colyford and Seaton, Seaton Wetlands is a beautiful wildlife haven, encompassing marshland and reedbeds next to the River Axe. The Wetlands is owned and run by East Devon District Council's Countryside team, which organises a wide range of events and activities at the nature reserve, including educational visits, pond dipping, guided walks, conservation tasks, bird watching and even an Outdoors Club. The team is grateful for the help of a wonderful band of volunteers who contribute enormously to the management and practical conservation of Seaton Wetlands.

Commenting on BBC Countryfile's exciting shortlist announcement, Cllr Marcus Hartnell, East Devon District Council's Deputy Portfolio Holder for Environment, said:

I cannot thank the readers of BBC Countryfile Magazine enough for nominating East Devon's very own Seaton Wetlands for the Best Nature Reserve category in the 2019 awards. This is fantastic recognition of an amazing wildlife haven, beloved by East Devon residents and visitors to the district alike. Our Countryside team and volunteers work exceptionally hard to maintain this unique site, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are continually exploring ways to develop the reserve's potential both for wildlife and people's health and well-being. Please can I urge anyone who has a special place in their heart for Seaton Wetlands to vote for it in these awards.

Charles Plowden, the Service Lead for Countryside and Leisure, said:

This is brilliant news and shows how much our residents and visitors value this special Nature Reserve. The combination of quality habitats and innovative public engagement highlights how this site contributes to the outstanding East Devon Environment. So please get voting and let's see if Seaton Wetlands can win this coveted award.

You can find out more about Seaton Wetlands on the East Devon website.

The East Devon Countryside team can be contacted by email: [email protected] or by telephone: 01395 517557.