Wetland management and recreation: practical experiences and recommendations for future management

The value of the British wetlands has been well recognised and a great deal of time and effort has been put into positive wetland management and restoration; yet as noted by Sutherland (2004) such conservation management is often based on anecdote and myth. In-depth interviews and site visits were undertaken with 18 wetland managers, the interviews covered four broad themes, the type of restoration and management, the reasons for management, the main risks and problems faced and practical advice to future practitioners. The keys to successful wetland managment appear to be availability of site data, awareness of socioeconomic and political dimensions (not just ecological issues), involvement of key stakeholders, building on existing good practice, and adoption of an adaptive management approach.