Download images from: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mjexm7dxvirbg33/QW2fEHb59D

On Thursday, 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 2013 which runs from 20th July until 11th August - http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/

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 a 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:

"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. Also you can propose here!"

If you're interested in taking part in the Big Butterfly Count, WWT Wetland Centres are fantastic places to see native butterflies. Centres have recreated specific habitats that support butterflies as well as mammals, birds and amphibians and most centres hold butterfly and minibeast walks and talks.

For the duration of the Big Butterfly Count, all nine WWT Wetland Centres have free spotter sheets 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.

WWT has nine different Wetland Centres around the UK - all of which are easily accessible places to be immersed in nature and witness the wonders of wetland wildlife.

You can choose as much or as little activity as you want - relax with a book and watch the world go by, watch birds in a hide, go on a free walk & talk, take a canoe safari or boat trip or entertain the  kids with pond dipping, arts and crafts and play areas. The one thing that's guaranteed, your day will always include guaranteed close-up wildlife encounters.

To learn more about the WWT Wetland Centre experience and to see our locations, go to: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/

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Notes:

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) works globally to safeguard and improve wetlands for wildlife and people. Wetland conservation work is complemented with a network of nine UK visitor centres where people can have close encounters with awe-inspiring nature - wildlife clusters near water so there is always something to see at a Wetland Centre. As well as hundreds of species of birds, you can also see other wetland creatures like butterflies, dragonflies, otters and water voles in their natural environment. www.wwt.org.uk

Butterfly Conservation is the largest charity of its type in the world. Our aim is the conservation of butterflies, moths and our environment. We run conservation programmes for more than 100 threatened species and manage over 30 nature reserves. www.butterfly-conservation.org

For the fourth year running, the Big Butterfly Count is taking place in partnership with Marks and Spencer as part of its Plan A commitment to be the world's most sustainable major retailer by 2015.

For further information please contact:

Lara Wilson
Tel: 01453 891128
Email: lara.wilson@wwt.org.uk