A Fenland Drainage Ditch Project was set up in September 2005 to provide conservation advice and support to the Middle Level Commissioners and 36 Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) in the Fenland area. Cliff Carson has been working as project officer for a 1.5 year pilot phase and is now employed as Environmental Officer by the Middle Level Commissioners.

The project is supported by a Steering Group with representatives from the Biodiversity Partnership, Natural England, Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, The Middle Level Commissioners and The Wildlife Trust.

With the help of a SITA trust grant and additional funding from the Biodiversity Partnership, 33 otter holts are being installed over the next three years and other improvements for otters are being made. Hopefully, this will attract otters back to the fens.

Cliff is carrying out surveys focused on water voles and advising IDB district officers and machine operators on vole-friendly ditching methods. He influences the Middle Level's conservation policy, raises the profile of wildlife associated with drainage ditches and promotes ecologically sympathetic ditch management to drainage engineers, IDBs and private landowners.