We manage all our land for wildfowling and conservation. We have installed water control features, culverts, dams and flap valve sluices to allow us to maintain a higher water level in spring & summer as well as the ability to flood parts of our land in winter. One field on the Low Wash is managed as 'fen' and Bassenhally Pits has a wide variety of habitat that needs carefull management. In recognition of our work we were awarded the BASC 'Stanley Duncan Trophy for Conservation'.

Along side the Whittlesey to Thorney road (B1040) there are over 160 Willow trees. Willows have always featured in  fenland and grow rapidly in the wetlands. Every two years WW&C undetake the complete pollarding of these trees, completeing half of the trees one year and the other half the next year. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly the spreading canopy would grow so large the weight of it would break the already fragile trunks of the ageing trees. Secondldly the spreading branches would hamper road users as ther encroach on the road. These willows were originally planted in 1910 to mark the route of the road during times of flood.

We are very committed to our conservation work and as such are very fortunate to have stewardship of Bassenhally Pit. This is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) mainly because of the types of rare plants found in it's marsh, aquatic and grassland environment. Of particular interest is the Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), a plant that was once common across the eastern counties but now extremely rare.
In addition to the conservation work undertaken by WW&C work parties the site has, in the past, been regularly visited by local organised school parties.

To view a copy of the SSSI document then click on the file download below.