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March 2025

  • Date published

    Friday, 28 March 2025

News from the team

Welcome to the March edition of the Dorset Catchment Partnerships monthly newsletter. This is my first one as your new Co-ordinator, just four weeks into the role. 

Prior to joining the team, I worked for Butterfly Conservation, co-ordinating, and promoting their UK-wide recording and citizen science schemes, along with providing training, support and feedback to a network of over 200 skilled volunteers. 

I have experience in scientific research having been a field ecologist (freshwater and terrestrial) for the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and completing a PhD in conservation. 

As you can imagine it’s been a busy time meeting partners, understanding the roles of the various organisations involved, learning about and visiting some project sites along with getting to know the immediate team and their roles within the Partnership. It has been a steep learning curve and there is plenty more to discover! If you can possibly help me out and offer opportunities to meet up so I can find out more about what you do and what you need from me and the DCP team that would be great.  You can reach me via zoe.randle@wessexwater.co.uk.   

I am looking forward to using my skills and experience to support the fantastic projects that are being run to help improve water quality, reduce flood risk, enhance biodiversity and benefit the numerous stakeholders involved in the Dorset Catchment Partnerships. 

Best wishes to you all,
Zoë

Partner update

Beaver fever!
In March, the National Trust released two pairs of beavers into Little Sea, Studland. Purbeck was the first place in England to be granted a government licence for a ‘wild’ beaver release like this, allowing the National Trust to release beaver initially at the Little Sea, with potential to expand the area across the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve in the future.

The new beavers now join the family that arrived there in 2024 by unknown means – aiming to be the start of a viable population. Previously beavers were an important part of the natural ecosystem but became extinct across the UK in the 16th century due to hunting for their fur, meat and scent glands.
   
By creating sunny glades, new water channels and pools, beaver activity can increase biodiversity at Little Sea, enhancing the habitat for lots of other species, especially dragonflies, wetland birds, amphibians, bats and water voles.

Dispersal across Purbeck
Beavers are monogamous and only produce one litter (usually 1-4 kits) per year, so beaver dispersal is slow. Young will leave their parents to establish their own territory after two years.

Little Sea has sufficient habitat for several family groups, so it is unlikely the beavers would leave the area for some time. When they do spread, it’s expected that they will follow the freshwater streams across the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve.

Monitoring and support
Beaver welfare will be monitored via remote trail cameras and visual observations by staff and volunteers. The National Trust will also be closely monitoring their impact on the surrounding environment.

The project will work alongside the Dorset Beaver Management Group to support communities and landowners who are living alongside beavers. This group consists of trained people who can provide expert advice, information and support (Beaver Sub-groups | Dorset Catchment Partnerships). Licenced beaver management training will also be made available to local landowners.

Find out more about the Purbeck Beavers here: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay/re-introducing-beavers-to-studland

Beaver taking its first steps into Little Sea, credit Beaver Trust

Wider news

Natural flood management evidence
The Environment Agency has published a new Working with Natural Processes Evidence Directory which contains updates from the previous documents released in 2017. It contains documents about river and floodplain management, woodland management, run-off management, and coastal and estuary management.

Sustainable Farming Incentive
As of the 11th March 2025, the government are no longer accepting new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), as they have successfully allocated the budget of £5 billion for the scheme. There were over 37,000 funding agreements with the scheme and Defra have said that all existing agreements will stand. Defra will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer with details to follow the Spending Review in June.

Beaver release licenses
As of the 28th February 2025, Natural England is now permitted to issue beaver licences to projects where beaver reintroduction would be beneficial. All eligible projects are assessed against the beaver wild release programme. Reintroducing beavers can increase biodiversity, restore lost wetland habitats and improve the condition of protected sites.

Beaver created wetland, credit Alan Puttock

Monitoring and Evaluation report
CaBA have published the report, for the 2023-2024 period of the projects and activities being carried out by Catchment Partnerships. It details the collaboration, organisation and project delivery that has occurred within river catchments across England.

Farming in Protected Landscapes
Defra has announced that until March 2026, farmers and land managers in England’s protected landscapes will be able to apply for funding through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. There is an additional £30 million available along with this extension. For the Dorset programme, see here.

Managing forest operations to protect the water environment
A practice guide has been produced by the Forestry Commission providing advice to forest managers, practitioners, planners and supervisors on how forest operations should be planned and managed to protect the water environment. This guide will ensure that any forest operations will comply with the UK Forestry Standard Guidelines on Forests and Water.

Pesticides National Action Plan 2025
A strategy for managing pesticide use has been developed and published for the UK. The strategy contains three objectives, and represents the sustainable use of pesticides, supporting food security and managing pests and pesticide resistance effectively.

Multiple benefits of nature-based solutions
The Environment Agency has published the findings from a project examining the effects of nature-based solutions on freshwater environments. It includes three documents, a summary, a report, and evidence and matrices.

First river in England set to have legal rights
With assistance from the Environmental Law Foundation, Lewes District Council have agreed to recognise the rights of the River Ouse, in Sussex. This is following successful models in other countries where the river has been recognised as a living entity with intrinsic rights to exist, flow and be free of pollution.

River Ouse, credit Paul Gillett

Local news

Decarbonisation Plan
Poole Harbour Commissioners are launching an initiative aiming to cut carbon emissions from the Port of Maritime Industrial Cluster. Their plans involve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2035, through adopting alternative fuels and improving energy efficiency.

Combatting climate change
As a part of the Great Big Dorset Hedge project, a group of Dorset scouts and volunteers have assisted in planting a total of 300 trees at Bare Marsh Farm. Ten different species of tree were planted, supporting biodiversity and providing shelter for wildlife.

Getting a grip on phosphorus
An article has been published in the Direct Driller magazine about phosphorus. It details the sources of excess phosphorus, how much to apply to crops, the effects from different types of farms and manure usage.

Edge-of-field run off station, credit Wessex Water

Have your say

Independent Water Commission – Call for evidence
Defra have a call for evidence asking for your views on the water sector in England and Wales. This will help develop a long-term approach to the water sector. Give your input before the 23rd April 2025.

Dorset CAN’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)
On the 9th May 2025, Dorset Climate Action Network will be holding a meeting with its Trustees. Have your say by attending and voting on the election of new Trustees and the usual business required to be passed at the AGM.

Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy
In aims to define a long-term approach for the Shoreline Management plan policy for coastal flood and erosion risks, Dorset Council and partners are asking for comments on flooding and coastal issues between the Portland Underhill to Wyke Regis area. Share your views before the 27th April 2025.

Funding

SUEZ Communities Fund
Funded by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Projects aimed towards delivering improvements to nature reserves, conservation and village greens will be eligible for funding. They have both a grant aimed for smaller projects, as well as a primary fund available. The application deadline is the 14th May 2025.

Nutrient mitigation scheme for developers
Defra and Natural England have announced that the next round of nutrient mitigation credit is available to offset housing development within the Poole Harbour Catchment. The application window is between the 30th April - 11th June 2025.

Sea-Changers Coastal Foundation Fund 2025
Up to £2,500 of funding is available towards purchasing a water drinking fountain for public use in busy or environmentally important areas. This aims to reduce the number of single-use plastic water bottles in coastal habitats. The deadline for applications is the 25th April 2025.

Events and webinars

The Big River Watch
From the 25th April to the 1st May 2025, the next round of the biannual Big River Watch will be taking place. Get involved by choosing a riverside location to observe for 15 minutes, and then uploading your findings onto the Big River Watch app.

Time to refresh
A gathering has been organised for people to share their thoughts, review the past six years and discuss the future of Planet Shaftesbury. The meeting will take place on the 7th April 2025. RSVP here.

The Rivers Trust Conference 2025
An online conference will be taking place on the 9th April 2025. They will be addressing the causes, impacts, features and management of blue-green algal blooms on waterbodies. Register for the event here.

Blue-green algae water, credit The Rivers Trust

Nature Buddies Network webinar
Dorset National Landscape will be providing information about the community mental health benefits of accessing nature spaces for well-being. This webinar takes place on the 31st March 2025. Reserve your place here.

Urban Partnerships webinar
CaBA will be hosting a webinar aimed at catchment partnerships working in urban areas. They will be highlighting smaller schemes and their mechanisms, as well as reflecting on previous experiences with them. It’s happening on the 3rd April 2025. Sign up here.

Flood & Coast 2025
From the 3rd - 5th June, CIWEM and partners are hosting an event including a conference, workshop, and exhibition aimed at managing flooding and coastal erosion. Register your place here.

Sustainable Dorset AGM 
Planet Shaftesbury will be hosting their Annual General Meeting online on the 2nd April 2025. Guest speaker Sarah Wise will be covering community-focused sustainability initiatives, as well as her own experiences working in the sector. Register your interest here.

Let’s Talk Water
A webinar from South West Water will be taking place on the 24th April 2025, where they will be discussing progress with their Green First approach as well as projects involving nature-based solutions for sustainable water management. Reserve your space here.

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