Joanna Lumley Pops Into The Wetlands Centre

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Screen legend urges locals to get involved with upcoming butterfly count

Last week a rather glamorous guest popped into WWT London Wetland Centre and spent the morning admiring the wildlife.

Screen legend and passionate environmental campaigner Joanna Lumley was at WWT London Wetland Centre to officially launch the Big Butterfly Count 2103 which runs from 20th July until 11th August.

Joanna encouraged everyone to get out and about and report butterfly sightings to Butterfly Conservation, to go into a national record which can be used to determine whether populations are growing or declining. The count comes as Butterfly Conservation president, Sir David Attenborough, warned that UK butterfly numbers are at an historic low, with 2012 being the worst year on record for UK butterflies.

Clearly struck by the natural beauty of WWT London Wetland Centre, Joanna also urged everyone to step away from their screens this summer, saying that "to have water near you is built into the human gene and everywhere you look there is water. Without everything you see here at London Wetland Centre - plants growing in profusion, wildlife, the sound of birds, butterflies bees and insects, the water filled with newts, frogs and small fishes, beetles and bugs - we as human beings can't exist. It's absolutely magic."

If you're interested in taking part in the Big Butterfly Count, WWT London Wetland Centre is a fantastic place to see native butterflies. Specific habitats have been created to support butterflies as well as mammals, birds and amphibians. For the duration of the Big Butterfly Count you can pick up a free butterfly spotter sheet at the admissions desk, so you can have a truly worthwhile day out by recording the butterflies you see and reporting your findings to Butterfly Conservation.

To learn more about the WWT London Wetland Centre experience contact Catherine Starling at catherine.starling@wwt.org.uk or 0208 409 4400.

July 26, 2013