Discover more topics
River health is connected to so many environmental topics, from biodiversity to climate change, making rivers a key way to focus sustainability work within a catchment. Sustainable South Hams has had a spotlight focus on rivers for the first half of 2023, including a productive Rivers Assembly.
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Food, Land & Water
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The Rivers Assembly
On Saturday, March 18th, 2023, the Rivers Assembly convened at Kingsbridge Community College to address South Hams rivers and their catchment areas. This gathering aimed to bring together stakeholders, organizations, and communities to discuss and act on river conservation and sustainability. The day featured presentations on the five South Hams River Catchments, followed by an extensive exhibition showcasing various projects and initiatives, including those related to wildlife conservation, water quality monitoring, and community engagement. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in creative discussions, roundtable sessions, and topic spotlight talks. The event fostered knowledge exchange and collaboration among attendees to drive positive change for the region's rivers and ecosystems.
News
Wrapping Up a Watery Year
We had a wonderful time this year with our focus on rivers, including the Rivers Assembly back in Spring. As we shift our focus towards our upcoming 2024 Assembly on Education and Young People, we wanted to give you a quick update on what has come out of our rivers work and where there are opportunities going forward.
October 25, 2023
Introducing WATER: Wild About The Erme River
Wild About The Erme River (WATER) is a new organisation working to protect and restore the River Erme and its tributaries. One of two new catchment action groups, set up following Sustainable South Ham’s River Assembly earlier this year, WATER is focused on reducing pollution and increasing biodiversity within the River Erme and surrounding landscape. Read on to find out more about their current work and how you can get involved.
September 26, 2023
How to Help Your River: Bathing Water Status
River water quality may have been the scandal of this year but it’s still shocking that out of 200,000km of English rivers, there are only a couple of hundred metres that are deemed officially safe to swim in. Journalist Jack Thompson explains more, and talks with grassroots community group Friends of the River Dart.
August 25, 2023
Events
Resources
Groups
South Devon River Champions
SDRC is providing links between community groups in catchments throughout South Devon and promoting the expert services of relevant professional organisations. By profiling all the existing catchment groups under one network, the individual groups have a greater opportunity to apply for funding of a scale that makes catchment wide projects feasible.
20-100
Volunteers
Other
Project Cost
Yealm Estuary to Moor Steering Group
Our goal is to create and restore habitats within the Yealm Catchment, working with professional partners such as Westcountry Rivers Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, AONB, Dartmoor Parks Authority, National Trust.
20-100
Volunteers
Other
Project Cost
Westcountry Rivers Trust
We have been restoring and protecting freshwater environments in the Westcountry for more than 25 years. Our Mission is to restore and protect the rivers, lakes, and estuaries of the Westcountry for the benefit of nature, people, and local economies. Our Vision is to see people helping our Westcountry rivers flow freely and teem with life and valuing our vital natural resource, water.
100+
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost
Projects
Create a Wildlife Corridor Along a River
Yealm Estuary Moor aims to improve the health & biodiversity of the River Yealm
Volunteers
Project Cost
Protect Our Rivers' Health with Citizen Science
Contribute to the resilience of our region's rivers, their habitats and wildlife
20+
Volunteers
£50k +
Project Cost
Clean and Survey Your Local Beach
Hope Cove and Soar Mill beach cleans and beach surveys with SMASH
Volunteers
Project Cost
