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Aerial image over Sweet Briar Marshes

Aerial image over Sweet Briar Marshes (credit: Shaun Lawson)

Sweet Briar Marshes: The project

Visit Sweet Briar Marshes

Close to the centre of Norwich lies Sweet Briar Marshes: 90 acres of fen, rough meadow, grazing marsh, old hedgerows and young woodland, full of incredible wildlife.

This uniquely wild place and its sensitive ecology – including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – was in danger of being lost forever. We launched a public appeal in 2022 to save it and thanks to enormous support from funders, the local community and our loyal supporters, were able to take the land into our ownership later that year. We are now moving forward with exciting plans to enhance Sweet Briar Marshes for people and wildlife alike.

We are incredibly grateful to our project partners Aviva for generously match-funding the purchase of the site and for their continued support, both financially and through employee volunteering.

a group of adults and children in a woodland looking into a net

Big Wild Weekend (credit: Denzil Dean)

Sweet Briar Marshes: Bringing our vision to life

We've taken a phased, long-term approach to fulfilling our shared vision at Sweet Briar Marshes to complement our conservation work and continue involving communities.

Find out more about how we’re bringing our vision to life

Sweet Briar Marshes: A shared vision

Involving local communities in our vision for Sweet Briar Marshes has been key to helping us create an inclusive, welcoming space where people are inspired to care for and act for nature.

Find out more about our shared vision

Locals looking at maps and designs on a wall at a workshop event

Visitors at the Sweet Briar vision architect event (credit: Denzil Dean)

Locals are looking at mini sculpture designs of Sweet Briar marshes

Sweet Briar marshes - landscape architects family event (credit: Denzil Dean)

A member of staff showing local people the designs and maps proposed for Sweet Briar Marshes at a family workshop event.

Landscape Architect Family Workshop (credit: Denzil Dean)

A child sits on the wooden floor of a hall beside an adult, while another adult sits on a ledge beside them. They are sitting in front of a large sheet of paper, which has coloured pens on. The paper has been drawn on, with ideas for the nature reserve.

Landscape Architect Family Workshop (credit: Denzil Dean)