The project commenced in January 2009 and aims to restore, recreate and reconnect habitat.

It aims to ensure that wildlife is enhanced and capable of sustaining itself in the face of climate change[2] while guaranteeing farmers and other landowners can continue to use their land profitably.

[3][4][5] Shapwick Heath, part of the Avalon Marshes in the Somerset Levels Wetlands, and managed as a national nature reserve by Natural England, is a former raised bog lying in the basin of the River Brue.

National rarities are the Greater Silver Diving Beetle (Hydrophilus piceus) and the Lesser Silver Diving Beetle (Hydrochara caraboides) which is now confined nationally to the Brue Basin Peat Moors.

The adjoining Shapwick Moor has been purchased by the Hawk and Owl Trust as a reserve.