Protect wetlands tomorrow with a gift in your will today. That’s the message from WWT London as it invites people across the UK to start something unstoppable. To leave a gift in their will to WWT and start a ripple effect that protects wetlands, whatever the future holds.
WWT, the wetland charity, has launched its latest legacy campaign, highlighting how gifts in wills can create positive change for wetlands, wildlife and the people who love these special places.
Alexia Hollinshead, Centre Manager at WWT London, said:
“For many people, WWT London is a mood-boosting sanctuary, somewhere to make lasting memories. Whether that’s spotting a Bittern for the first time, spending quality time with friends and family, or seeking a calm moment in nature.
Gifts in wills help us continue this important conservation work. They ensure that people can continue experiencing unforgettable moments in our wetlands at WWT London, long into the future.”
The campaign comes as wetlands across the UK face unprecedented pressure. Climate change is reshaping these vital habitats, with prolonged summer droughts drying out marshes and pools, while increasingly intense winter floods can overwhelm and disrupt delicate ecosystems.
Yet WWT is showing what can happen when wetlands are given the care, support and time they need to thrive.
Visitors to WWT London can already see the impact of long-term investment. Landscapes have been transformed and new habitats created for both wildlife and people. Recent investment in habitat management has brought encouraging results, with two Lapwing chicks successfully fledging in 2026 following a new approach to managing the reserve’s wetland habitats.
Investment is also creating new ways for people to connect with wetland wildlife. In 2026, WWT London opened Pelican Creek, a new immersive Australian wetland experience and home to 10 Australian pelicans, the only flock of Australian pelicans in the UK. Visitors can walk through their habitat, getting closer than ever to these remarkable birds while learning about the importance of wetlands in Australia and beyond.
Around £1 in every £5 donated to WWT comes from gifts in wills, providing vital support for the charity’s conservation work.
Gifts in wills could help WWT deliver its ambitious plans to create 100,000 hectares of new and restored wetlands, bring threatened species back from the brink and deliver pioneering research. This includes discovering how saltmarshes can store carbon and help fight climate change, as well as finding better ways to restore wetlands, manage water and strengthen landscapes against extreme weather.
WWT supporter, Jenny explained:
“I love wildlife and made a choice that WWT should be included in my Will. The process was quick and easy, and I like knowing that wetlands I love will be protected in the future, with my support.”
WWT hopes the campaign will encourage more people to consider the legacy they could leave for nature, helping create a safer, healthier, brighter future for wetlands and wildlife.
