Humber Estuary
Planning a coastal conservation corridor in eastern England.
This planning grant developed a feasibility study for restoring connectivity across 32,000 ha of fragmented habitats around the Humber Estuary. The estuary is internationally important for migratory and breeding birds, marine mammals and fish, yet its habitats are heavily degraded and fragmented by urban, agricultural and industrial use.
Humber Estuary, England, UK
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
US$ 92,528
October 2019 – November 2021
32,000 ha
Estuarine fringes, intertidal and coastal habitats
Eurasian curlew, bar-tailed godwit, grey seal, lamprey
Why This Seascape Matters
Spurn Point on the Humber Estuary is a key stopover for migratory birds on their autumn migration.
The Humber Estuary is the UK’s largest coastal plain estuary and a site of global importance for birds. Its mudflats, saltmarshes and transitional waters support species such as Eurasian curlew, bar-tailed godwit, grey seal and lamprey.
These habitats also provide critical ecosystem services, from flood defence to water filtration. However, pressures from development, industry and agriculture have reduced habitat quality and connectivity.
What the Project Did
The grant produced a detailed feasibility report and baseline mapping to guide restoration. The grant delivered:
A feasibility study was carried out and outlined the policy context and restoration priorities.
Plans were developed for a coastal conservation corridor to reconnect estuarine habitats.
Spatial maps were used to identify current conservation initiatives, connectivity gaps and opportunities for restoration.
partners were engaged to align future actions across the estuary.
Looking Ahead
This work has helped partners successfully apply for further funding, including £4.9 million from the Defra Green Recovery Fund and Ørsted, to trial approaches to seascape-scale restoration. These trials will focus on intertidal and transitional habitats and test agricultural, marine and urban methods to demonstrate the wider benefits of restoring connectivity in the Humber Estuary.
Project Partners
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