New Wetland Reserve For Reading Opens May 17

Former rough grassland at Fobney Island has now been transformed thanks to a joint conservation project between Reading Borough Council, Thames Water and Thames Rivers’ Restoration Trust.

The new Fobney Island Nature Reserve will be formally opened at 11am on Friday, May 17th. Children from local schools will be some of the first to look around the reserve and will be joined by people who have helped with the project.

The opening event will include guided walks around the reserve, an educational display, face painting and other activities.

In 2011, Reading Borough Council, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and Thames Rivers’ Restoration Trust, worked in partnership to improve Fobney Island for wildlife and nature based recreation. Berkshire Ornithological Club and Reading and District Angling Association provided specialist advice throughout the project.

The area is now a mosaic of wetland, wildflower meadow, hay meadow and reed bed habitats, with new ponds and river features.

Fobney Island is at the end of Island Road, opposite the entrance to the Civic Amenity site off the A33. At the end of Island Road is a small car park. From there, cross the bridge on foot, and the entrance to Fobney Island is on the left opposite Fobney Lock.