The Dorset Wild Rivers Project

Dorset Wild Rivers is a major restoration project, led by Dorset Wildlife Trust with funding from Wessex Water and Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and 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.

Disease often plagues the natural wildlife of our rivers and recent outbreaks of crayfish plague have caused concern. You can help prevent this disease from spreading by learning about the Crayfish Code.

The following film has been kindly made for Dorset Wildlife Trust by world-renowned wildlife cameraman and filmmaker, Hugh Miles, and tells the fascinating story of the River Allen, a typical Dorset chalk stream.  You can also watch the One Show's feature of Dorset Otters on our YouTube Channel

Save Our River Campaign & Water Saving Tips

The recent rain doesn't change the fact that we now have a worrying environmental drought affecting wildlife, because it takes more than a week or so of heavy showers to refill the natural underground water stores or 'aquifers' in the chalk that feed our rivers.  These act like sponges, soaking up water over a long period and then feeding Dorset’s rivers, but they have suffered from 2 years of low rainfall.  Flood waters will disappear very quickly and groundwater levels are still low so we are concerned for all the wildlife that depends on our river systems.  We all need to think about using less water, taking the pressure off our rivers.

Why not visit the new website for the new Love your River Campaign, supported by The Wildlife Trusts.  For more information on Wildlife and Drought. 

Want to save water? Wessex Water  customers can order a free water saving pack here and Sembcorp have some great water saving tips here

Or why not volunteer to help Dorset's rivers.