Big boost for conservation of our precious rivers

Big boost for conservation of our precious rivers

May 6, 2020

The conservation of chalk streams and their amazing wildlife has received a major boost after almost £2m of National Lottery Heritage Funding was awarded.

A partnership of 15 organisations, including The South Downs National Park Authority, has secured funding for a five-year landscape project called Watercress and Winterbournes. The name pays homage to the fact that watercress has always thrived in the Itchen Valley.

The initiative will work with local communities to restore and celebrate seven chalk streams, including those feeding the River Itchen in the South Downs. Of the seven, Cheriton Stream lies within the National Park.

The chalk streams are globally-scarce environments that are home to species like water vole, brown trout, and white-clawed crayfish, and have inspired a rich cultural heritage. Unfortunately, these special waters face increasing pressure from issues like pollution, loss of habitat, and poor land management.

Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We look forward to working closely with our partners, and with the communities in the area, to ensure we achieve real and lasting change for these precious chalk stream environments.”

Jeremy Burgess, Biodiversity Lead for Water in the National Park, added: “We welcome the approach of this project which has a major focus on supporting and developing skills in communities to look after their rivers. The Cheriton conservation group will be leading work on the Cheriton Brook with our support.

“Clearly the focus on improving the headwaters will have an impact downstream on the whole river.  Although at the Western fringes of the National Park the Itchen is one of our best-known chalk rivers, hosting amazing wildlife from a wealth of river flies and beds of water crowfoot to brown trout and otters.”