STREAM and the Living River Initiative
The River Avon, its main tributaries and river valleys are one of the best river systems for wildlife in the UK. Natural England is leading the STREAM (2005-2009) and Living River (2006-2010) projects, which contribute to integrating wildlife, landscape and promoting community engagement in the catchment.
The river system flows through a region of outstanding natural and cultural heritage, with the Wiltshire tributaries converging in Salisbury, and meeting the sea at Christchurch. They support habitats and species listed in UK and local Biodiversity Action Plans, and are of national and international importance, with Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area designations.
Strategic restoration and management (STREAM)-Restoring the River Avon Special Area of Conservation
£1 million has been secured from the European Commission’s LIFE-Nature programme to support river restoration on the internationally protected River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Wiltshire and Hampshire.
STREAM is supported financially by the European Commission’s LIFE-Nature programme. Natural England is working with project participants the Environment Agency, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Wessex Water. The project has undertaken:
River restoration
Through restoring seven kilometres at six sites on the Avon, Nadder, Wylye and the Dockens Water
Through addressing habitat degradation due to past engineering
Linking the river and valley
To prevent species getting trapped in the valley ditch networks
Developing a prioritised programme of ditch restoration
Developing and testing operating regimes for key sluices
Monitoring
Of the physical and biological effect of the restoration work
Evaluating success (and failures) to inform future restoration
Events and publications
Open days and seminars for the public, land managers and river restoration specialists
Advice notes, technical reports and guidance
For more information visit the project website www.streamlife.org.uk
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The Living River
The Living River is a £1 million Heritage Lottery funded project that has involved people throughout the River Avon catchment with the conservation of its natural heritage. The project has worked to increase awareness and appreciation of the River Avon system, focussing on how its natural heritage is linked to the rich cultural heritage of the area. It has invested resources from a range of partners in long-lasting improvements to biodiversity and access to the heritage, and has used innovative methods to engage audiences across the catchment and secure their support for its conservation.
The Living River has worked with four audiences: land managers, river users, influencers (such as local authorities) and the public who live and work in the catchment. Between 2006 and 2010 the project has completed the following programmes:
Biodiversity restoration
At sites the public can access and enjoy, involving residents and volunteers in restoration activities
Addressing the management of invasive plants at a catchment-wide level through the development of a stakeholder forum, 20 year action plan and community involvement
Demonstrating that biodiversity management and access can be mutually beneficial
Access and Interpretation
To enhance information and access to the river at over 40 sites across the catchment, working with the communities that live there
Enhancing access to information about the river across the catchment through website, interactive media and exhibits
Working with Salisbury International Arts Festival to reach new people and engage them in the river
Education and Training
Open days, volunteer activities and training to help people get more from their involvement, understand their relationship with the river system and take responsibility for it
Raising awareness of the relationship between the river and water use in the catchment
The Project will demonstrate how a complex and largely privately owned natural heritage asset can be made widely accessible to a range of audiences.
For more information contact project manager: Eva Stuetzenberger, eva.stuetzenberger@naturalengland.org.uk or visit www.livingriver.org.uk
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