Duck the stress this World Wetlands Day, bring a friend for free at WWT sites

Two people smiling and and holding cameras looking out across a wetland — Wetlands and wellbeing (WWT)

At WWT, we champion wetlands 365 days a year. But on 2 February, the world comes together for World Wetlands Day, to celebrate these super-powered habitats. The theme of this year’s day is “wetlands and human wellbeing” and we’re celebrating this with a special World Wetlands Day offer.

Since the 1940s, WWT has been associated with protection of wetlands and the species that rely on them, managing ten wetland nature reserves spread out across the UK and working with partners around the world on cutting edge research and conservation.

Our new strategy to 2030 includes commitments to restore wetlands and unlock their power, and to inspire more to people to value, act for and benefit from wetlands. One of the benefits wetlands bring are their ability to give us a feeling of peace and connection with nature.

WWT research has shown that just ten minutes in a wetland setting, spaces like a marsh, lake or river, is enough to boost a person’s mood. And, in a study by the Mental Health Foundation, 65% of people said that spending time near water was their favourite part of being in nature and improved their mental wellbeing.

People walking through the wetlands towards a brilliant sunset — The sun setting against the sky over the wetlands (Ben Cherry – WWT)

We want to share these stress-busting, mood-boosting powers with as many people as possible this year, reminding everyone of how time near water can help us find a moment of calm.

As such we have recently announced that for the World Wetlands Day weekend (2 to 4 February 2024) any paying visitor or existing WWT member visiting our nine UK Wetland Centres will be able to bring a friend for free.

As well as their wellbeing effects, 40% of the worlds plants and animals rely on wetlands, and these habitats have the potential to store huge amounts of carbon, acting as a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.

Despite this wetlands are threatened globally. A staggering 75% of wetlands have been lost in the UK in the last 300 years. This World Wetlands Day we are encouraging everyone to get out in their local wetland, experience the calm that they bring and join us in our mission to restore wetlands in the UK and globally.

As well as WWT’s sites we are also recommending some of the UK’s other best wetlands and sharing the sights and sounds of wetlands digitally for those who can’t visit a blue space in person over the World Wetlands Day weekend through our World Wetlands Day page.