A 20FT long interactive wetland mural will visit Llanelli Wetland Centre on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February, during its tour of the UK.
Commissioned by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and originally unveiled in Bristol on 2 February 2023, the mural highlights this year’s World Wetland Day theme of wetland restoration.
Members of the public can interact with the mural by standing on the jetty, sitting in the boat or snapping a photo as they plant a shoot in the saltmarsh, symbolising the regeneration of wetlands.
It shows a degraded wetland transforming into a flourishing habitat, filled with thriving wildlife and highlighting the incredible potential of wetlands to capture carbon, clean our water, protect us from flooding, provide a home to wildlife and boost our health and wellbeing.
A staggering 45% of people in the UK do not know what a wetland is and this large-scale artwork by 3D Joe and Max is designed to help significantly increase the number of people aware of these types of habitat and the challenges they face.
WWT Campaigns Manager Laura Williams said: “Hundreds of people took their photo with the mural on World Wetlands Day, learning more about the amazing powers of wetlands to tackle the nature, biodiversity and health and wellbeing crises and we are very excited to be able to take this on tour to other places – from cathedrals to shopping centres and conferences to visitor centres.”
Llanelli Wetland Centre’s Marketing Manager Jessica Thompson said: “We’re honoured to be the first WWT site to welcome the mural, and look forward to seeing our visitors’ reactions to this spectacular piece of giant art.
“Llanelli is a low-lying coastal town, with a history of flooding. Now, it’s more important than ever to care about wetlands and the environment. Beautiful, healthy wetlands are like big sponges that store excess water and act as a natural defence against unusually high tides. So not only are they lovely places for humans and wildlife, but they also protect our homes.
“We hope the wonderfully detailed mural of a thriving wetland impresses everyone who sees it and gives them hope that positive change is possible.”
Featuring iconic British species like curlew and kingfishers, otters and dragonflies, this mural is a vision of Britain’s ‘blue recovery’. This is a possible future if Britain chooses to revive its lost wetland ecosystems and invest in creating more wetlands.
As the mural tours the UK, WWT is calling upon government, business and wider society to help restore and create 100,000 hectares of wetlands in the UK to combat the climate, nature and wellbeing crises.
You can show your support by signing the Wetlands Can! campaign pledge.
