Wetlands teem with biodiversity, providing homes for many endangered species. In fact, 40% of the world’s biodiversity relies on freshwater wetlands. Yet they only cover around 1% of the planet. Wetlands can protect us from flooding by storing rainfall like a sponge, and buffering us from the sea. When water levels are low, they slowly release it back to us. In the right environment, wetlands can help bring the air temperature down by up to 10 degrees Celsius.
Using a variety of specialist equipment and a skilled and experienced workforce equipment FGS Pilcher can undertake the creation and reinstating of wetland habitats, ensuring that they confer benefit through providing natural flood management and water quality enhancement, whilst creating vital new habitats for wildlife. FGS Pilcher also carry out work for local authorities and land owners which includes new cut ditches, ditch cleaning and profiling, reed & weed cutting, tree works and scrub clearance, improvement works for replacement water level control structures, bridges or culverts. Specialist revetment works for bank stabilisation can be completed using soft landscaping materials which are environmentally friendly or hard landscaping construction materials such as gabions filled with stone, metal sheet piling or plastic piling.
Wetland Restoration:
Wetland restoration plays a vital role in reviving ecosystems, improving water quality, and supporting biodiversity. By re-establishing natural hydrology, wetlands create essential habitats for wildlife while mitigating flooding and enhancing ecological value. At FGS Pilcher, we combine environmental expertise with specialist equipment to deliver restoration works that provide long-term benefits for both the environment and local communities.
We have undertaken a large project for the RSPB at the Seasalter Levels in Whitstable, Kent, restoring a large part of the wetland area within the levels.
Part of the Climate Change Resilience Project, this grant funded project aimed to restore habitats and boost biodiversity. We used our specialist equipment to create bunds, rills and scrapes as well as de-silting and re-shaping existing waterways. The new features are designed to capture water within the levels and to maximise feeding and breeding spaces for wildlife.
Reed Cutting:
FGS Pilcher provides a professional Reed and Weed Cutting Service using long-reach excavators and an experienced team to maintain waterways and protect local habitats. Our environmentally conscious approach helps manage flood risk by maintaining water flow and reducing the need for desilting, while preserving essential vegetation for wildlife. Using selective cutting techniques, we promote biodiversity and follow best environmental practices, including stubble retention and habitat-sensitive planning. This service balances infrastructure needs with ecological care, benefiting landowners, communities, and wildlife.
Click here to find out more on our Reed & Weed cutting website page
The team at FGS Pilcher are skilled in all aspects of environmental habitat maintenance, working closely with local and national authorities and land owners to deliver environmental improvements and conservation schemes such as wetland creation and wetland restoration projects.
Here are further details of the range of environmental habitat maintenance services we provide:
- Wetland Creation – Wetland creation using our specialist equipment to create bunds, rills and scrapes.
- Wetland Restoration – Wetland restoration using our specialist equipment creating bunds, rills and scrapes as well as de-silting and re-shaping existing waterways.
- Natural Flood Management – Utilising nature-based solutions for flood management, whilst restoring historic habitats and improving water quality.
- Reed & Weed Cutting – Specialist reed and weed cutting to manage water levels, prevent flooding, protect habitats and keep waterways healthy and sustainable.
- Bridges & Culverts – Installation and improvement works of water level control structures, bridges & culverts.
- Vegetation Clearance – Water course clearance including reed & weed clearance, tree works, scrub clearance and reed bed maintenance and restoration.
- Bank Stabilisation – Revetment works for bank stabilisation using soft & hard landscaping materials.
- Ditch Work – Ditching services include new cut ditches, ditch clearing and ditch profiling with additional stewardship works such as scrapes and bird habitat improvements.
- De-silting & Re-shaping – De-silting of ponds and waterways & reshaping of existing wetland and watercourse areas to enhance effectiveness.
Videos of recent work
Take a look at the videos below – two examples for recent wetland creation projects, restoring a large parts of the wetland area within the Seasalter Levels and Graveney Marshes.
The Seasalter Levels project was on behalf of the RSPB to restore habitats and boost biodiversity, maximising feeding and breeding spaces for wildlife.
The Graveney Marshes project was part of a Landscape and Biodiversity Plan for a solar project.
Seasalter Levels Wetland Creation
Graveney Marshes Wetland Creation
