Go quackers for the Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Descriptor: First we see fast moving shots of the four students who made this film, sitting and standing on a University of Gloucestershire sign, before moving on to various shots of the film being made, together with introductions to the students and the responsibilities they help.

Carly: We are all TV production students in our final year at the University of Gloucestershire, and we've made the short film you're about to see. I'm Carly, the director, Jenny's the producer, Richard's the cameraman and editor, and Carly's the sound person. We've been working together scripting, shooting and editing to tell this story.

Descriptor: We now see the students at computers, before Carly turns to face the camera and introduces the film.

Carly: So here it is, we hope you enjoy watching.

Descriptor: We now see various shots of ducks, geese and swans on water, before focusing on a large sign, which displays flying white swans, with, "Welcome, WWT, Slimbridge Wetland Centre," is white and green text. We then see more shots of swans, together with a woman feeding them, before panning across the area. Lastly, we see pink flamingos coming in to land.

Narrator: Located on the banks of the river Severn in Gloucestershire, Slimbridge wetland centre enjoys world status as a renowned centre for conservation. The world's largest collection of ducks, swans and geese have made the centre their home.

Descriptor: We are now introduced to Mark Roberts, who is the Deputy Agricultural Manager. As he speaks, we see shots of the flamingos in and around the pond.

Mark Roberts: At Slimbridge we think it's very important to raise, er, the public's, er, perception of conservation, things like the flamingos for example, are great for that. We enable people to be able to get close to these amazing birds that they wouldn't ever be able to in the wild.

Descriptor: Once again we see various shots of the both black and white swans on and beside the water, before we see a crane and the six young cranes that are being raised.

Narrator: Established in the forties, the centre has continually played an important role in conserving the wetlands and its wildlife. Current initiatives include the great crane project which is working to reintroduce the common crane back into Britain. Key to this is the rearing of these six rather feisty young cranes.

Descriptor: We are not introduced to Phoebe Young, an Agricultural Warden, who explains what how they plan to reintroduce cranes into Britain, and their success so far. As she speaks, we see various shots of the cranes that they have.

Phoebe Young: We intend to bring cranes back into Britain and we can put that down to about three or four hundred years ago when we all ate them, to be honest. It's been quite successful as you can see, they've grown up um, really quite impressive, and they're going to show the British public just how interesting they are and what they can look forward to seeing in the wild in a few years time.

Descriptor: Once again we see various shots of the wild fowl, before we pan across to a bust of Sir Peter Scott.

Narrator: The wild fowl and wetlands trust was established by and driven by the passion of leading conservationist, Sir Peter Scott.

Descriptor: We now meet Veronica Morriss, the Senior Operations Manager, who tells us about Peter Scott's vision. As she speaks, we see various shots of the birds, together with children feeding them at the edge of the pond, and the people that visit the centre. Veronica then describes the importance of the National Lottery funding and we see some of the improvements that the money has made, including a gift shop and coffee bar.

Veronica Morriss: Peter Scott had a vision to bring people and nature closer together, to get up close to, to see birds, to understand their habitat, and to get the opportunity to come and explore the wildlife round about them. So we have a balance of working people and nature in harmony and for the benefit of both. We couldn't possibly be without the lottery, it has been absolutely core to getting us to where we are, we have to thank everybody who contributes to what we are doing.

Descriptor: We now see various shots of people visiting the centre, before moving on to interior shots of the discovery centre.

Narrator: Every year a wide range of people enjoy the attractions offered and the new discovery centre provides an additional range of activities for the children who visit.

Descriptor: We now see various shots of the observation tower.

Narrator: Nowhere are the proceeds from the public spend on lottery games more visible to all than in the form of the observation tower that stands at the heart of the reserve.

Descriptor: Once again we meet Mark Roberts, who describes the wonderful views from the observation tower. As he speaks, we see the views from the observation tower.

Mark Roberts: I mean what wonderful views they can get over the whole of the Severn Estuary, and the reserve, and the collection from the, the slow tower that's been built by the, the lottery funds, it's just amazing.

Descriptor: Once again, we see the various birds at the centre, as well as focusing in on some of the visitors.

Narrator: The funding has been core to strengthening the centre's popularity as a place for a great family day out.

Descriptor: We now meet a visitor to the attraction, who wears a brown jacket. He describes the importance of preserving the wildlife and their habitats.

Visitor: At the end of the day we live in a crowded country, and we need to preserve the wildlife, we need to preserve the habitat that these birds enjoy for future generations.

Descriptor: Finally we see a mother, sitting on a bench with her two daughters, who tells us how important the Lottery funding is. As she speaks we pull out once again from the observation tower, before one last shot of some birds on the water, with the sunlight reflecting on the surface.

Mum: I think that the more money that the lottery gives to organisations like this, the better, I think it's been, it's well worth it, absolutely.