One of the world's most famous waterways is about to get a huge transformation - as part of a multi-million dollar project.

Coastal habitats along the Greater Thames Estuary, the life source of England's capital and far beyond, will be restored as part of the $5 million project, providing vital spaces for wildlife and healthier environments for people. 

Led by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London), the new Transforming the Thames collaboration brings together conservationists, local communities, government bodies and landowners – including from RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, The Environment Agency and Essex and Kent County Councils - with the combined goal of reviving the Greater Thames Estuary, supporting both the wildlife that calls it home and the 8 million people that will benefit from improved access to nature and better protection from the impacts of climate change.

The grant, awarded by the Endangered Landscape and Seascape Programme and worth almost £4 million, will enable the team to kick off the first four years of their pioneering mission to restore key habitats across the estuary, tackle the biggest threats destroying existing habitats, and empower others- from individuals to businesses - to scale up transformation across the region.

Anna Cucknell, ZSL’s UK Coastal Habitat Recovery Programme Manager said:

“Spanning an impressive 250,000 hectares from Felixstowe in the north to Whitstable in the south, the Greater Thames Estuary marks where the River Thames meets the North Sea, and is one of Europe’s most important wetlands. This intricate tapestry of habitats provides a home and nursery grounds to an abundance of native wildlife, from Critically Endangered European eels and ‘superhero’ water filtering oysters, to much beloved species like porpoises, seahorses and lapwings. [...] The project will focus on restoring six vital habitats found across the estuary – native oyster beds, seagrass meadows, saltmarshes, coastal grazing marsh, saline lagoons, and sand and shingle bird nesting habitat."

 The Thames has lost over 95% of native oysters since 1800s and up to 44% of seagrass since 1936 while Essex has lost 92% of its coastal grazing marsh between 1938-1981, removing the very foundations that native wildlife relies upon.

Rachel Langley, Head of Marine and Coastal Recovery at Essex Wildlife Trust said: 

“Essex’s coastline is iconic, varied and special - from moody marshes teeming with wildlife, to characterful towns built from their coastal heritage. Essex Wildlife Trust is thrilled to be a partner of Transforming the Thames and are excited to bring our 60+ years of experience working for nature and people in Essex to the project. This is the first time these multiple coastal habitats will be recovered under one umbrella partnership; and it is this collaboration and our joint ambition that will enable us to scale up restoration, and connect our valuable coastal habitats to enable our coastal wildlife to thrive.”