Hundreds Of ‘Seagrass Tubes’ Planted To Kick-Off Multi-Million Pound Restoration Of Thames

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Thousands of seagrass shoots have been planted in the Thames, as conservation charity ZSL kicks off work to transform one of the world's most famous waterways.  

Over the course of one week, ZSL’s conservationists collected nearly 1,000 cylindrical ‘seagrass cores’ – tubes of mud extracted from the Thames, each one containing multiple individual dwarf eelgrass shoots – from a seagrass meadow in Essex, before carefully planting each one in mudflats in Kent – as part of their work to make the estuary more resilient to climate change.

One of the largest UK restoration efforts using this method, ZSL’s work is the first step in restoring a thriving seagrass meadow, with the ambition that it will grow to cover an area the size of at least 1.5 football pitches over the next few years.

The work launches the start of on-the-ground work for Transforming the Thames - an ambitious ZSL-led project bringing together 20 partners to turn the tide on the health of the Greater Thames Estuary and deliver wide reaching benefits to the British wildlife and the 8 million people that live along the Estuary.

The five-year project brings together conservationists, local communities, government bodies and landowners, building on decades of experience to recover a rich, varied coastal landscape by 2030.

In doing so, Transforming the Thames will help improve access to nature, protect local communities against the impacts of climate change and support the species that call the Thames home – from Critically Endangered European eels and sharks to beloved seahorses and lapwings.

Thea Cox, ZSL’s Transforming the Thames Senior Restoration Manager said:

“Seagrass meadows are critical to the health of the Thames, and we’re thrilled to be kicking off our work transforming this iconic estuary by getting stuck in on the mudflats."

 “We rely on healthy ecosystems for our own wellbeing, but decades of degradation and fragmentation have left the Greater Thames Estuary with a poor bill of health – and increased storm events and marine heatwaves due to climate change threaten the health of the estuary further. We know that it can recover, and are excited to see the Thames flourish as we work to restore habitats along its shores, make its coastlines more resilient to climate-change driven storms, and connect people with everything it has to offer.”  

Seagrass meadows play a vital role in the marine environment, providing essential nursery grounds for fish, food for birds, and habitat for various invertebrate species. Seagrass in the UK has declined up to 44% of seagrass since 1936 due to decreased water quality, disturbance and pollution – threatening wildlife and putting people at greater risk of flooding and coastal erosion.  

Areas of healthy seagrass meadows can still be found along the Thames, and the seagrass was collected during low-tide from existing meadows near Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, ready to be planted in Egypt Bay, Kent.  

The team of conservationists and volunteers used specially designed wooden mudshoes to navigate the challenging mudflats, helping prevent them from sinking into the mud as they worked. As the work could only take place during low-tide, a hovercraft was also used to transport the team and their equipment over the mudflat so they could collect or plant as many seagrass plants as possible before the sites were submerged in water.

Thea added:

“This year marks ZSL’s 200th anniversary, a year where we celebrate all we’ve achieved so far and look ahead to a future where people and wildlife thrive together. As we work to restore these coastal meadows, we’re not only marking the start of a new exciting chapter for the Greater Thames Estuary – we’re also making that future a reality.” 

 To rebuild a healthy, resilient ecosystem, the seagrass planting will be followed by further work by the Transforming the Thames partnership to restore around 450 football pitches worth of six vital habitats across the Greater Thames Estuary - native oyster beds, seagrass meadows, saltmarshes, coastal grazing marsh, saline lagoons, and sand and shingle bird nesting habitat.  

Working towards a 100-year vision of recovery across the estuary, the partnership are also working to tackle the biggest threats destroying existing habitats – such as pollution - and working with local communities and businesses alike to empower them to be a part of scaling up transformation across the region.     

ZSL believes nature can recover, and that conservation is most effective when driven by science. We call for science to guide all global decisions on environment and biodiversity and build a healthier future for wildlife, people and the planet. Find out more and support ZSL’s world-leading, collaborative science and conservation work visit here.  

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Nov 3, 2025
2 min read

Contractor Henry Brothers Construction has staged a topping out celebration to mark completion of the main building frame for the £25m Global Conservation Centre the company is delivering at Twycross Zoo.

Due to open in 2027, the state-of-the-art facility is set to become a world-first hub for conservation research, education, and collaboration, strengthening Twycross Zoo’s role as a leading UK charity dedicated to protecting endangered species.

The centre has received £18million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the largest single Government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo, and is being built by Henry Brothers Construction in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and leading UK universities.

Ian Taylor, MD at Henry Brothers Construction, said:

“We are very proud to be delivering the Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo. The topping out of the orangutan building marks a milestone in the construction of this exciting development which will also feature a two-storey building with lecture theatre, research and teaching spaces, and a science lab, along with a two-storey residential facility."

“The Henry Brothers team is thrilled to be working with our partners on a world-class project that will make a game-changing contribution to the fight against extinction for endangered wildlife and we are looking forward to progressing with the other elements of this state-of-the-art scheme.”

For guests attending the topping out event, it was the chance to view the site from the highest point and celebrate the completion of the main building frame.

Craig Dunkerley, CEO of Twycross Zoo, said:

“Reaching this stage of the Global Conservation Centre is a landmark moment for Twycross Zoo. This isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the bold future we are building for wildlife, and the extraordinary opportunities it will create for scientists, students, and conservationists to work together to protect endangered species. The centre embodies our vision to inspire the next generation of wildlife heroes and make a lasting impact on global conservation.”

Dr Rebecca Biddle, Chief Conservation Officer at Twycross Zoo and Vice Chair of EAZA added:

"Once complete, the Global Conservation Centre will feature a 200-seat lecture theatre, classrooms, wildlife gardens, and a science lab overlooking a new orangutan habitat. A 24-bedroom residential wing will host visiting experts and students, helping train the next generation of conservation leaders."

“This facility will allow scientists, educators, and conservationists from across the globe to work alongside the species we are striving to protect, developing practical solutions for some of the world’s most threatened wildlife. By connecting our research and education programmes with the new Indonesian-themed land, including a world-class orangutan habitat, the centre will offer unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate, and act for conservation.”

Designed with sustainability at its heart, the project will also benefit the local community, creating 90 new jobs and generating an estimated £3.9 million in GVA per year.

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Hundreds Of ‘Seagrass Tubes’ Planted To Kick-Off Multi-Million Pound Restoration Of Thames

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