91热爆

It was almost exactly a year since Kate Humble had trudged and slid through the mud into a mechanical digger to cut the first earth on the building project that would eventually become Saltholme Nature Reserve.

"This is a fantastic resource for Teesside. Anyone can come here, irrespective of their age and just enjoy it."

Kate Humble

That day was cold, wet and windy. In comparison, Kate's return to view the completed project fell on a bright, crisp Spring day with just enough warmth in the early sun to tempt the gathered guests outside.

The gathering was a curious and rarely seen mix of business executives, civic dignitaries, press and, seemingly unaffected by the invasion, dozens of beaming bird watchers.

From the moment she entered the building to officially open it, 91热爆 Springwatch's presenter was visibly amazed by the transformation since her last visit. "You know, quite often when you walk into a building, you shut the outside out, but this one, because it's all glass and there are these wonderful huge windows looking out onto the reserve, you feel very much like the reserve and the building are as one and it's a lovely feeling."

But back at the building, a team of schoolchildren had moved outside to help plant a reed bed. At least, that's what the RSPB public relations team said. To the casual observer, a team of schoolchildren had moved outside to have great fun playing in the mud.

As far as Kate is concerned, though, that is the whole point. "Reserves like this are for everybody, wildlife is for everybody. It doesn't matter what age you are, it doesn't matter if you know your duck from your goose, it really doesn't matter. What matters is that reserves like this are accessible to everyone.

"This is a fantastic resource for Teesside. Anyone can come here, irrespective of their age and just enjoy it and if they just want to walk around and enjoy being outside, fantastic!"