August 2025

News from the team

Welcome to our August newsletter. As I write this, the indications are that the glorious hot spell experienced across the summer is beginning to moderate with some much-needed rain forecast in the coming weeks. The adverse impact of this dry weather on the Dorset rivers and watercourses has been obvious to all, underlining the need for the various projects and activities being undertaken across the Partnership.  At the heart of this is the Frome Headwaters chalk stream flagship restoration project being led by Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT). The strategy for it has been recently published and is available on the DWT website; it’s worth a read.

This month also saw a visit from Vikki Slade, the Member of Parliament covering Mid-Dorset and North Poole, to meet the partnership team and be briefed on all that is being achieved across our areas of focus. We are now seeking to build on this and engage and inform all the MPs representing constituencies aligned with our catchments.  More generally, the spectrum of activity being undertaken by partners continues to be wide-ranging and moving at pace. Updates on some of the key elements are in this edition of the newsletter – enjoy!  

Lee H.

Partner update

Little Sea beaver update, August 2025 

The good, the bad and the unexpected… 

It’s five months since the National Trust released two pairs of beavers into the wild at Little Sea, Studland. The Trust has been monitoring their activity via remote motion-sensor cameras and observations by dedicated volunteers. It is still early days, but this is what has happened so far. 

• The beavers that arrived in 2024, before the Trust had gained a licence for a wild release, seem to be thriving. They have built an extensive lodge and given birth to three kits.
• The two beavers that were released in March to the south of the lake have taken longer to settle. In May, the female was relocated from Swanage (she had presumably got there via the sea). She was reunited with her mate, and they appear to be more settled now, building dams and potentially also a lodge at Little Sea – watch this space for confirmation.
• The beavers that were released on the east of the lake moved elsewhere when water levels fell due to the drought. Water remains in places, but not where they had settled. Whilst the Trust was trying to locate them, they had the sad news that the body of a beaver had washed up in Swanage Bay. The microchip revealed it was the male from this pair, likely to have died from salt-water poisoning. Volunteers are now monitoring feeding signs to locate the female from this pair.  
  Although sad, the loss of one of the beavers doesn’t affect the long-term aims of the project to introduce more animals and establish a healthy, viable population of beavers in Purbeck.  

Read the full update here: Beavers at Little Sea, Studland | National Trust 

Wider news

Rights of Hampshire rivers recognised
Throughout July, Southampton City Council and Test Valley Borough Council have passed motions that recognise the rights of rivers to be free from pollution and poor condition. These new rights allow the rivers to be protected from overdevelopment and pollution from a range of sources.

The Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme
Two years ago, Natural England launched their Species Recovery Programme, which supports targeted action for England's most vulnerable species. The scheme has involved partnership working and funded a total of 63 projects. Some of the projects include tackling Invasive Non-Native Species, such as American Mink, creating or enhancing nesting islands for seabirds and more.

The Partners Programme helps local biodiversity
The Wessex Water Foundation has provided £500,000 funding through its Partners Programme to support organisations working to conserve biodiversity and aquatic life across the region. The projects receiving the five-year funding include Dorset Wild Rivers, Glorious Cotswold Grasslands, Healthy Headwaters and Upper Tone 360.

Stiperstones National Nature Reserve
A partnership of six organisations has expanded the Stiperstones Landscape National Nature Reserve to cover over 1,000 hectares of land. The reserve will capture carbon, manage flood risk, improve water quality and provide habitat connectivity.

Wild water vole release
For the first time in 20 years, wild water voles are now in Surrey. In late July, South East Rivers Trust released 50 water voles into Chamber Mead Wetlands and Hogsmill River as a result of chalk stream restoration.

Demonstrating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
A £97,000 grant has been awarded to help develop a Blue Green Demonstrator site at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm in Leeds. This project will showcase Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDS) to help reduce flood risk in the Meanwood Beck catchment. The urban farm, which hopes to become a hub for climate change education, will use the funding for a feasibility study and project management.

Seeking regulatory clarity over nitrogen use
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has called for urgent regulatory clarity to improve the UK's management and reuse of nitrogen. In a report published on July 24, 2025, the committee made several recommendations to the government. The report, titled "Nitrogen: Time to Reduce, Recycle, Reuse," follows an inquiry that focused on three key areas: simplifying regulations, promoting a circular approach to nitrogen, and creating a more strategic plan for nitrogen pollution.

Hello Lamp Post
As a part of the Water Watch project, AI signage has been installed at popular bathing water locations across the North and South West of England. The interactive QR codes provide the Environment Agency with citizen science data about water quality and how popular bathing water sites are.

Farming Rules for Water
As of the 16th July 2025, the government has updated their guidance on how to comply with the Farming Rules for Water. The update provides restructured regulations and further guidance for how to comply with the regulations.

Local news

Drought in Dorset
Prolonged dry weather has left rivers in the Wessex region at their second lowest levels since 1871. The Rivers Trust warns that when rain returns, the dry ground will struggle to absorb it, leading to rapid runoff that causes flooding and puts pollutants into rivers, harming wildlife. To address this, nature-based solutions like wetlands and tree planting can help slow the flow of water. The Rivers Trust, along with the National Trust, Woodland Trust, and Beaver Trust, has launched the "Making Space for Water" campaign, which calls for more government funding for landowners to create nature-rich corridors.
 
Poole’s new flood defence
A new £29.4 million flood scheme to reduce tidal flood risk from Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill has been consented to begin. This will be to protect over 2,000 properties, and the construction is estimated to take five months to complete.

Another success story for the ospreys
History has been made for the Poole Harbour Osprey reintroduction project as the first chick (5H1) to hatch in Southern England since 1847 has successfully bred. The female osprey has now raised three chicks of her own in the East Midlands, a significant milestone for the project. This successful breeding season also saw a second pair of ospreys breed in Poole Harbour for the first time since the project began, further demonstrating the success of the conservation efforts.

Get involved

Dorset Local Plan consultation
Dorset Council is conducting a consultation on their Local Plan to gather public feedback on how to manage future development in the area, including potential sites for new homes, employment, and traveller sites. Share your views before 13th October 2025.

Local Transport Plan consultation
BCP Council and Dorset Council will be creating a new Local Transport Plan, which outlines a 15-year vision for improving transport and travel in the area. Give your feedback before 13th October 2025. 

Funding

Pushing the frontiers of environmental research
The Natural Environment Research Council is offering a grant opportunity, awarding grants of up to £950,000 to support high-risk, high-reward environmental research projects. The funding is available to eligible researchers and groups at UK-based research organisations.
 
Sea-Changers grant funding
Funding is available through a main grants scheme and a small grants scheme, aimed towards community-led projects which work to address the root causes of marine conservation threats in the UK. The deadline for main grants is 30th September 2025.

Events and webinars

Dorset County Show 
There will be a 2-day event on the 6th - 7th of September held in Dorchester Showground, showcasing Dorset agriculture, countryside and rural life. Book your place here.
 
Around the Bend tours
Wessex Water are hosting tours around Water Recycling Centres in Bristol, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Secure your place here. 

The Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative (CaSTCo) Conference
CaSTCo will be hosting an online conference on the 24th September 2025. It will include the launch of the CaSTCo roadmap, which outlines their recommendations for a unified, data-driven monitoring framework. Register your place here.
 
Dorset COP 2025
This year, Dorset COP will be in The Exchange in Sturminster Newton. This community-led event will focus on climate and environmental action, aiming to help Dorset's communities take practical steps towards a more sustainable future. Get your tickets here.
 
Chemicals in Chalk Streams
CaBA will be presenting a series of short presentations on the hidden threat to our chalk streams from household chemicals. They will be covering what the chemicals are and the impact they have on life in our rivers. Secure your place here.
 
Join Dorset Catchment Partnerships at Discovery Fest
Come and meet us to learn about Riverfly Monitoring, a citizen science initiative that helps protect our rivers. Get hands-on with real river invertebrates and discover which species indicate a healthy river ecosystem. It’s a great opportunity to get involved and make a difference. Discover more information here. 

Jobs

• Butterfly Conservation is advertising for a GIS Officer role. Apply by Friday 5th September 2025.
• The Wildlife Trusts is advertising for a Land Management Practice Officer. The deadline is Sunday 14th September 2025.
• Dorset Council are advertising for a Country Park Ranger. The deadline for this applications is Sunday 21st September 2025.
• FPCR Environment and Design Limited are advertising for a Senior Ecologist. An application deadline is not stated, so apply soon.