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April 2025

  • Date published

    Monday, 28 April 2025

News from the team

It’s been another busy month for the DCP team.  Zoë attended the River Restoration Centre Conference, where over 500 delegates gathered to discuss river and catchment improvements across the UK and Europe. A key takeaway: only 36% of restoration sites are monitored, highlighting the need for more oversight.
 
The conference also hosted the UK River Prize, with the Howgill Beck Naturalisation Project taking the top award. Other winners were recognized for their achievements in monitoring and evidence-based impact. You can find out more about these projects here.
 
Meanwhile, we also responded to the Independent Water Commission Review (Cunliffe Review), contributed to the Environment Agency’s Working Together consultation on river basin management, and continued with the validation of Nitrate Leaching Tool submissions for the Poole Harbour Nutrient Management Scheme. 
 
Happy reading…
Zoë

Partner update

Wildfire on Upton Heath highlights extreme fire risk to Dorset’s heathlands and wildlife 
 
A major wildfire broke out on Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath nature reserve in early April, underlining the extreme fire risk currently threatening Dorset’s heathlands due to prolonged dry weather. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service acted quickly to contain the blaze, but nevertheless, the fire still caused extensive and serious damage to this rare and vulnerable heathland habitat, home to species such as sand lizards, smooth snakes and Dartford warblers.

Upton Heath Wildlife, credit Brian Bleese

Wildfires pose a serious threat, not only destroying vegetation but also displacing and endangering wildlife that depends on heathlands for their survival. Ground-nesting birds like nightjars and Dartford warblers, along with reptiles and invertebrates are especially vulnerable. Fires can rapidly consume dry vegetation, destroying nests and eggs and leaving surviving animals with little to no food or shelter, putting entire populations at risk.
 
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Brian Bleese said, “The impact of this fire on the heathland and its wildlife has been devastating. Our heartfelt thanks go to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue as well as to our incredible team of staff and volunteers who helped to assess the damage, recover deceased reptiles and relocate surviving animals to safety. We urge everyone to stay extremely vigilant – no naked flames, no smoking and absolutely no BBQs. Together, we can protect our precious heathlands for wildlife and for future generations.” 

Wider news

2024 Wildfish Impact Report
Wildfish have published a report explaining the work they have been involved with over the last year. It contains case studies, as well as further details about challenges to the water environment.

Mapping non-woodland trees
Through using laser detection and satellite imagery, England’s non-woodland trees have been mapped. It was found that they make up nearly a third of the country's trees. This works towards the government's legal target of increasing England’s woodland canopy to 16.5%.

Howgill Beck project
A RSPB project in Cumbria has won the UK River Prize Project-scale Award. This restoration project involved putting a natural meander back into an artificially straightened, 1.8km stretch of river, as well as reconnecting the watercourse to its floodplain. Since the completion of the project, there have already been several species of breeding birds spotted in the project area.

Howgill Beck, credit RSPB

Natural flood management investment
Looking at ten natural flood management (NFM) schemes created by the Wildlife Trusts, a new report shows that for every £1 invested in NFM, it delivers £10 of benefits over 30 years. Flooding is the UK’s most expensive natural hazard, and the annual cost is expected to rise to between 19-49% by the 2050s.

Bloomin’ Algae
A new citizen science app has been developed for members of the public to report blue-green algae sightings. By taking a photo of the algal blooms, the potential public health risks can be reported to the relevant authorities.

Local news

New air quality sensors
As a part of the Electric Seaway project, air quality sensors have been deployed at Poole Quay Boat Haven and Port of Poole Marina. They will be monitoring particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.

Get involved

Heather and grass burning in England
Defra have asked for your views towards updating the Heather and Grass Burning Regulations, to further protect peatlands. This consultation closes on the 25th May 2025.

Poole Water Recycling and Transfer Project
West Country Water and Environment has launched a consultation, asking for feedback on the Poole Water Recycling and Transfer Strategic Resource Option project. They have published a public consultation document which provides further details about their proposal. Have your say before the 21st May 2025.

Funding

2025 Partnerships Grants Scheme
Biffa Award have funding available to support projects which are working in partnership to support the natural or built environment. Applications are open until the 30th May 2025.

Grants for Good
Funding is available for small charities, voluntary groups or social enterprises which have projects aimed towards positively impacting the environment. This round of funding will be open until the 15th June 2025.

PTES Worldwide Grant
People’s Trust for Endangered Species has up to £20,000 of funding available for research and conservation of endangered species. Applications close on the 29th May 2025.

Research to tackle epidemic threats
Funding is available for research projects that are looking to tackle epidemic diseases in plants, animals or humans. The deadline for applications is the 19th June 2025.

Wessex Water Environment Fund
Up to £2000 of funding is available for projects that improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the local environment. The priority areas for applications are the reduction of water use, improving sustainability, and improving biodiversity. The application window closes on the 19th May 2025.

Events and webinars

Water literacy course
The Water Literacy Programme is offering free places to the first 2000 people to sign up for their water literacy course. The courses involves learning about the value of water, the need to save it, and how we can do this as individuals, organisations and communities. Book your place here.

No Mow May
Plantlife is campaigning for you to leave the grass and wildflowers in your back garden to grow for the month of May. This movement can support a range of wildlife as well as store carbon in the ground. Find out more here.

Water Net Gain webinar
The Rivers Trust will be presenting a webinar about supporting farmers through a Water Net Gain scheme they are developing. It will cover payment mechanisms, stakeholder engagement and pond and monitoring design. It will take place on the 14th May 2025. Register your interest here.

Water abstraction licensing webinar
The Country Land and Association recently held a webinar where staff from the Environment Agency explained some of the implications of changing water abstraction licencing. Watch the recording here.

Jobs