Good news for Dorset's rivers

The importance of Dorset’s rivers has received recognition, with news of a major restoration project across much of the county. ‘Dorset Wild Rivers’, led by Dorset Wildlife Trust with funding from Wessex Water, will focus on the Frome and Piddle Valleys and the chalk stream tributaries of the Stour, Allen, Tarrant and North Winterbornes. The Dorset Wild Rivers partnership will work with land owners, fishing groups and The Wild Trout Trust, restoring rivers for the benefit of fish and invertebrates, reducing agricultural run-off into the chalk streams and creating wetland habitats in the floodplains.

Why are Dorset's rivers so important?

These most English of rivers contain the greatest abundance of aquatic wildlife of any waters in Britain. Beloved of fishermen and renowned for their crystal-clear waters, chalk rivers support a huge diversity of aquatic insects, provide spawning sites for trout and salmon and food for predators, including kingfishers, otters and the native white-clawed crayfish. Their valleys contain important wetlands, including wet woodlands, flower-rich fens and wet grasslands, home to wildfowl and wading birds such as lapwing and snipe.

Sarah Williams, Dorset Wild Rivers Co-ordinator at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Dorset Wild Rivers is an opportunity to work in partnership with the community to improve the health of wildlife and landscape across a wide area. Over the centuries, chalk rivers have been meddled with by man and, with the help of fishing groups and farmers, we want to improve these sections so as to join up the existing stretches of good river habitat.”

What did Simon King have to say on the project?

The project has received the backing of wildlife film-maker Simon King, who said: “To look into the crystal clear waters of a chalk stream is to catch a glimpse of a whole world of wildlife dependent on this supreme English habitat. With Dorset Wild Rivers, these sparkling ribbons of life and their associated wetlands are being cherished and restored for now and the future.”

Dorset Wild Rivers has been recognised as a flagship project by Wessex Water, which is providing funding for 5 years. Dave Jones, Environmental Scientist at Wessex Water, said: "Dorset Wild Rivers is an excellent example of a wide range of organisations working together to give wildlife in the county better opportunities to thrive. We recognise the threat that wetland habitats are under and hope our funding will help reverse the decline in wildlife which depends on this unique habitat.”

Partners in the project include Purbeck Heritage Committee, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), Dorset Biodiversity Partnership, Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Queen Mary University of London, Environment Agency and Natural England.

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Photos:
1. Sarah Williams, Dorset Wild Rivers Co-ordinator at Dorset Wildlife Trust with wildlife film-maker Simon King. Please credit Debbie Dye.
2. Lapwing. Please credit Colin Smith.
3. White-clawed crayfish on the River Allen. Please credit Nicky Hoar.

Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Sarah Williams at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and now has over 25,000 members and manages over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve.

The largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues. It leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.