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November 2024

  • Date published

    Wednesday, 27 November 2024

News from the team

Welcome to our November newsletter, the last one headed by me as we recruit a new co-ordinator to join us in the new year (applications close this weekend- the link to apply is in the jobs section below!). The partnership has grown and delivered so much over the last five years, with new working relationships forged and others strengthened, so there is much to celebrate and lots I’m proud to have played a small part in.

This month, with so much water, water everywhere with storms Bert and Conall, water quality and quantity are very much on everyone’s minds but we all know there is a huge amount of work focussing on these key topics year round. Our Action Plan summaries for the last two years are now on our website for you to browse and draw inspiration and connections from.

I’m looking forward to continuing to work with some of you in my new role, and I now manage the Catchment Partnership Co-ordinators for Dorset and the Bristol Avon, so I’m still part of catchment land! Finally, a massive thank you to all our partners for your support for me over the last five years, and Sally, Holly and our new Co-ordinator going forwards.

Happy reading,
Natalie

Wider news

Biodiversity Net Gain
Natural England has published a blog about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on small sites. The blog includes three industry experts sharing examples of how they have incorporated BNG requirements into their projects.

The Green Infrastructure Mapping project
Natural England has updated their Green Infrastructure Map, which displays all of the green and blue spaces across England. This latest version includes content updates, as well as several new datasets, and supports their Green Infrastructure Framework.

The Green and Blue Infrastructure Map, credit Natural England

Public consultation on drought management
The Environment Agency has launched a public consultation on ‘Drought: how it is managed in England’. The document describes how drought affects England and how the EA works with government, water companies, and others to manage the effects of drought on people, business, and the environment. The EA is keen to hear your views on local drought-related issues and the consultation closes on the 10th January 2025.  

Digitally reporting water pollution
The Environment Agency has created a new online reporting system for members of the public to report water pollution. This will be used alongside the currently available phone hotline – 0800 80 70 60. It is currently being tested by members of the public, and they hope to officially launch it next year.

Improving Dawlish’s water quality
South West Water is investing in improving the water quality in Dawlish, through improving their wastewater network as a part of their major infrastructure plan for 2025-2030. They will begin these improvements in early 2025.

Decline of Salmon populations
The EA has released this year’s catch statistic data, showing a concerningly low number of salmon. Nationally, some of the reasons for this are thought to be barriers to migration; nutrient input into freshwaters, and the physical modification of rivers and streams.

Seabed litter and their impact on invasive species
Scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science have published a research paper about the effects of plastic litter on the spread of invasive species.

Local news

Rivers Run Through Us
Dorset National Landscape have been granted funding through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Environment Agency’s Water Environment Improvement Fund to begin a nature recovery project along the River Axe.

Nitrogen mitigation call for land
Dorset Council is looking for land within the Poole Harbour Catchment to deliver nitrogen mitigation, and is looking for projects involving permanent land-use change.

The Ramblers Podcast
Cranborne Chase National Landscape has released the first episode of their new podcast, recorded by Chase & Chalke volunteers. It covers interviews and walks across the catchment.

The Ramblers Podcast, credit Cranbourne Chase National Landscape

Carbon monitoring in Poole Harbour
A flux tower has been placed in Arne Moors to measure the carbon dioxide levels taken up by the saltmarsh. This will monitor the changes as the habitat varies between dry land and a salty wet intertidal habitat.

Get involved

Hedgerow Regulations Consultation
Defra is seeking your views on the proposed regulatory approach and use of civil sanctions for hedgerow management. Have your say before the 10th December 2024.

Drought management consultation
The Environment Agency is asking for your views about drought-related issues in your local area, as well as feedback on their ‘Drought – How we manage it in England’ document. Give your feedback before 10th January 2025.

Funding

Nature Hubs Fund
In partnership with Starbucks the Nature Hubs Fund have two grants available. There is £6000 available for Nature Hub projects, and a £3000 top-up fund for existing projects. The project must be within 5km of a Starbucks to be eligible. Send in your application before Friday 29th November 2024.

Foundation’s Partners Programme
Wessex Water have funding available for projects that conserve and enhance biodiversity, catchments and the aquatic environment. They have four grants of £25,000 per annum, for five years between 2025-2030. Applications close 3rd January 2025.

Wildflowers, credit Wessex Water

Green Match Fund
A seven-day online match fund campaign by the Environmental Funders Network and Big Give has allowed an opportunity for match funding for charities up to £50,000. The deadline for applications is 17th January 2025.

Events and webinars

A Fresh Water Future conference
CIWEM is hosting a conference bringing together the nation’s leading practitioners and thinkers together to look across water infrastructure, urban planning and development, farming and rural land management to find solutions to support the government’s ambition of cleaning up Britain's rivers. This takes place on the 3rd December. Register your place here.

Chalk Stream Strategy webinar
The Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) are running a webinar on the 11th December. It will update on the current activities of the group and progress against some of the actions and will also set out some of the ongoing challenges and these could be addressed. Sign up here.

Bird boat bonanza
To celebrate their successes over the past year, Birds of Poole Harbour is running a Christmas boat trip on the 18th December exploring the harbour. Secure your place here.

Brent Goose with a Christmas hat, credit Birds of Poole Harbour

Water Systems Integration Modelling Framework (WSIMOD)
Dr Barnaby Dobson is discussing the WSIMOD physically-based simulation tool in one of the NERC Freshwater Quality programme webinars. The webinar is taking place on the 10th December.

Climate Café
Planet Shaftesbury are running an informal drop-in session to mark their 6th anniversary. This will take place from 7-9pm on Thursday 5th December. RSVP here.

Jobs