Take a walk on the wild side of Essex

~RSPB lays on free ferry for family day from Burnham to Wallasea Island ~

~ every 20 minutes, Sunday September 27th ~

The RSPB is throwing open the doors of its Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project with its first ever free community open day this Sunday (27 September 2009).

In what promises to be a wild adventure for everyone, local residents, families and day-trippers will be able to learn a little bit more about this magical island, with walks, children’s activities and information on the project on offer between 10am and 4pm on the day.

The RSPB’s Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project is the largest of its kind in Europe, and is soon to be transformed back into a fantastic wildlife-rich marshland similar to how the island would have looked 400 years ago.

It’s a great example of how the RSPB and its project partners, Crossrail, are helping the coast and its wildlife adapt in the face of climate change. Tunnelling material (clay, sand, gravel and chalk) from Crossrail, the new cross-capital rail link, will be transferred by ship to Wallasea Island. This material will be used to raise the land to create 1,500 acres – nearly 2.5 square miles - of tidal wildlife habitat.

Chris Tyas, Wallasea Island Project Manager said: “The scale of this project is immense, and this is an amazing opportunity to see the work that we’ve already begun on the Island. With any luck, we’ll be getting up close to some of the fantastic wildlife on the Island as well.

“We really hope that people can come along and enjoy the wildness of the Island, whilst soaking up the fun of the day. It’s an incredible project to be a part of and we hope the visitors feel the same way.”

For more information on the event taking place on Wallasea Island on Sunday 27 September, 10 am – 4 pm, please contact Chris Tyas on 01621 862621 or email at chris.tyas@rspb.org.uk

There will be free access by ferry to and from the Island (every 20 mins) from Burnham-on-Crouch and mini bus transport from the Essex Marina. For those wishing to come by car the event will be signed from Ashingdon Road in Rochford.