Ouse Washes: The Heart of the Fens Landscape Partnership scheme (OWLP) Image: Kite Aerial Photography by Bill Blake Heritage Documentation

OWLP: The area we cover Left: 5 Districts covered by scheme Right: Topography Images by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP

OWLP: The area’s multiple layers of heritage Images: Bill Blake Heritage Documentation; Cambridgeshire ACRE; Cambridgeshire Archives; Valence House Museum; Pete Johnstone; flickriver.com; Norfolk Our World Ltd; RSPB

OWLP: The area’s multiple layers of heritage Images: Bill Blake Heritage Documentation; Cambridgeshire ACRE; Cambridgeshire Archives; Valence House Museum; Pete Johnstone; flickriver.com; Norfolk Our World Ltd; RSPB Engineering History Historic Assets Natural Assets Cultural Heritage

What makes the OWLP area special? Word cloud, showing what makes this area distinct and special

About Landscape Partnership schemes Overarching aim: to provide grants for the conservation and enjoyment of areas of distinctive landscape character throughout UK Image: Patricia Kreyer

About Landscape Partnership schemes Partnership working: local, regional and national organisations with a range of interests in the area Portfolio of projects, each delivering multiple benefits Images: Norfolk Our World Ltd; The Field Theatre Group Littleport; Google images

About Landscape Partnership schemes Delivery across all 4 HLF Programmes 25 Projects Conservation Community Participation Access & Learning Training

OWLP scheme: 26 Key Partners [+ Wider Forum] Cambridge Archaeological Unit Cambridgeshire Association for Local History Diocese of Ely Fen Skating Association Fen Museum Partnership Manea & Welney District Drainage Commissioners Mike Petty Rosmini Centre

OWLP: Where we are 2011/2012: stage 1 bid 2013: Project Development March 2014: Stage 2 bid granted April 2014 – March 2017: Delivery

Key needs/issues identified: Divided management Lack of Tourism Promotion Low levels of Engagement OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs “A Mapp of ye Great Levell of ye Fenns extending into ye countyes of Northampton, Norfolk, Suffolke, Lyncolne, Cambridge and Huntingdon and the Isle of Ely as it is now drained.’ By Jonas Moore. Plan of the Bedford Level showing the principal drainage channels built by the Bedford Corporation and the location of Adventurers’ land [c. 1700]. Courtesy of Wisbech and Fenland Museum (© Cambridgeshire Archives).

Divided management  Strengthen Partnership Working - across all land use interests OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs OWLP Landscape Agriculture Conservation Community & Recreation Water Management

Divided management  Strengthen Partnership Working – liaise with related partnership initiatives OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs Fens for the Future Partnership & Great Ouse Wetland Vision. Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP

Divided management Lack of Tourism Promotion  Promote Area as a Visitor Destination OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs Image: Kite Aerial Photography by Bill Blake Heritage Documentation

Divided management Lack of Tourism Promotion Low levels of Engagement  Leave a legacy of community engagement OWLP: Addressing the area’s needs

People who are uninspired by the landscape OWLP scheme: Our Target Audiences Young people and families & Incomers and new communities Farmers and land owners Heritage supporters Deprived communities Migrant communities Visitors

OWLP scheme: Our Themes Water defines the Ouse Washes landscape Water Everywhere The heritage of the Ouse Washes landscape is largely unknown or ‘hidden’ Hidden heritage Movement and migration are key elements of the landscape Migration stories The landscape is full of fascinating stories about real and imaginary people Famed Figures The future of the landscape is uncertain, with increasing demands on its resources Future Heritage

OWLP scheme: The partnership’s 25 Projects Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP Barn Owl Recovery Community Warden Scheme Giving Nature a Home at Fen Drayton Lakes Great Ouse Wetland Engagement Wildlife Friendly Farming in the Fens Species Identification & Monitoring Ditch Management to the East of the Ouse Washes

OWLP scheme: The partnership’s 25 Projects Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP Ouse Community Murals Fen Folk, Legends and Heroes Skating around the Fens Wind, Steam and Diesel for the Ouse Washes Tales of Water, Wildfowl and Water Hidden Story Trails Ouse Washes Community Archaeology Community Kite Aerial Photography Manea Community Conservation Project Migrant Links Improvements to Denver Sluice Complex

OWLP scheme: The partnership’s 25 Projects Image by Sheils Flynn, for OWLP Ouse Washes Festival Fortnight Community Heritage Fund – Small Grants Opening up the Ouse Washes to All Ouse Washes Volunteer Training & Marketplace Ouse Washes Tourism Promotion Ouse Washes Annual Conference Managing the Ouse Washes in the Future

Find out more: Blog: Dedicated OWLP website: July 2014 Or contact the OWLP Programme Manager: Tel