September 2023
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Date published
Friday, 29 September 2023
News from the team
Welcome to the September edition of our e-newsletter which, once again, is packed with a range of information relating to our catchments and beyond.
We are in a celebratory mood this month, as we have now completed and published the 2023 refresh of the Catchments Action Plan; this is the first time we’ve published the action plan since our strategy launched last year. It outlines how we are working together to deliver our strategic programmes across the Poole Harbour and Stour catchments, and gives some highlights of what’s been achieved towards each so far. You can read this on our website here. Thank you to all the project leads who have provided information for this update, either directly or through completing your return of the CaBA form earlier in the summer. I think you’ll agree, it shows a substantial amount of work being done across our catchments to improve them for people and wildlife.
We are also thrilled at last month’s award of a substantial grant for the Dorset Peat Partnership, which you can read more about below. Sally will be devoting around 2 days per week (paid by the grant) to this project through to March 2025, so we are currently exploring options of how to spend the grant income for diverting Sally’s time from the core team’s work- if you have ideas of where this could help the partnership move forwards, please get in touch.
As Sally is moving more into direct project support for the Peat Partnership, we are considering moving to bi-monthly e-newsletters, starting in October. I am keen that we are able to maintain a quality product with the resources we have available, rather than maintain our monthly schedule at all costs. Please let us know your thoughts on this.
Finally, I am looking forward to attending the Dorset Coast Forum conference in Bournemouth this week. DCF works across Dorset’s coast and, as our catchments all end up there, it’s really good to be able to make that link with our coastal partners and remind them of their upstream links too. The programme is exciting, and includes the PHNMS team showcasing their work within the session on water quality.
Happy reading
Natalie
Updates from our partners
A million-pound project to restore Dorset’s peatlands
Dorset Peat Partnership led by Dorset Wildlife Trust, has been awarded a £750,000 grant from Defra's Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme, matched by £250,000 from other funders and partners to fund work on 16 sites across Dorset to rewet and restore 172 hectares of fragmented and damaged peatlands. The successful application was a huge collective effort by the members of the partnership, who are now excited to deliver the work on sites.
Poole Harbour Nutrient Management Scheme
The first year’s results of the (PHNMS) Poole Harbour Nutrient Management Scheme have now been published and the report can be found here. 202 farmers joined PHNMS and submitted their Nutrient Loss and Accounting Tool spreadsheets to the group. Louise Stratton, Development Manager was delighted and encouraged by the number of farmers and landowners who submitted their results. Other farmers and landowners chose to send their submissions to the Environment Agency and their report is due out soon.
Wider news
A new invasive species mapping tool
A new multi-platform invasive non-native species (INNS Mapper) app and website has launched in England, Wales and Scotland which will enable people to report sightings, add photos, surveys, and management. The project has been funded by several organisations and designed and developed by the INNS Mapper Steering Group which includes Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and the Wales Resilient Ecological Network.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has issued an update on Nutrient Neutrality, following the Lord’s vote against the latest set of amendments.
New water pollution monitoring system
A new SERS pesticide monitor could be used out in the field using low-cost materials. Regular monitoring of pesticides in water enables swift action when pesticides are detected. Most pesticide tests are currently carried out in labs and are time-consuming. This new, affordable 3D-printed sensor developed by a team of researchers from universities in Scotland, Portugal, and Germany could be a promising alternative.
Over 97% of our food comes from the soil. Thanks to the GWCT, soil has been incorporated into the government’s 25-year Environment Plan. This plan includes the goal of managing all of England’s soils sustainably by 2030.
Local news
GWCT River Frome Salmon Tagging
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust are currently catching, weighing, measuring and tagging over 10,000 Salmon parr. The salmon are caught using electrofishing and are tagged before returning to the water. The passage of these fish out to sea is tracked and their return is also recorded.
BCP Nature Pledge
BCP Council adopted the Green Infrastructure Strategy in 2022, with the aim to reverse biodiversity loss and support nature recovery. The Nature Pledge has been created for communities to pledge to help nature thrive in gardens and greenspaces.
Poole Harbour Sea Hives
Hexagonal structures made from recycled waste fishing gear called SeaHives are being monitored at Poole Quay Boat Haven Marina. The sea hives act to provide shelter for juvenile fish, whilst also being colonised by barnacles, mussels, and oysters. These filter-feeding animals have calcareous shells that will capture carbon from the environment.
Events and webinars
Sustainable Swanage – The Swan Brook
On Thursday 28th September, 7-8.15pm, Sustainable Swanage will be discussing the Swan Brook, its history condition, how it is managed and how everyone can play a part in reducing pollution and flooding. There will be speakers from the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and Dorset Coast Forum along with information stalls. Find out more here.
Photo competition for the RSPB calendar
Applications are now open for the RSPB’s 2025 Inspiring Nature calendar photo competition. Enter by the October 31st to be in with the chance of your photo being included in the calendar.
10 years of the Catchment Based Approach
To celebrate 10 years of CaBA’s catchment-scale approach to water and environmental management, there is a free event on 6th November to celebrate partnership work and to consider how work can be improved in the future. Book your place here.
River restoration training
On 17th October the River Restoration Centre is providing training on how to develop a catchment-wide river restoration plan.
Poole Harbour autumn safari cruises
Birds of Poole Harbour are running three-hour cruises around Poole Harbour. There will be a guide to talk you through the species you see as you cruise around the harbour.
Waxcap Watch
Waxcaps are an indicator of rare, species-rich grassland. By helping Plantlife identify the locations of these fungi, these fragments of ancient meadows can be protected for the future.
Funding
Defra have announced that farmers can enrol in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) from the 18th September. This year’s SFI will offer quarterly payments rather than yearly payments to farmers. Farmers can participate in both SFI and Countryside Stewardship providing there is no duplication of payments.
Free Trees for Schools and Communities - Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is giving away hundreds of thousands of trees, helping the UK reach its 2050 carbon net-zero target. Schools and communities can apply for packs to be delivered in March 2024, with applications expected to close in January.
The Linnean Society are offering grants of up to £1,000 for innovative projects designed and led by young people in the UK. Projects should provide young people with the opportunity to lead on projects that involve their local nature and natural spaces, such as creating a nature walk.
Upcoming Research and Development projects and Feasibility Studies
Defra will provide over £14 million in funding through innovation grants to boost productivity and sustainability between farmers, growers, foresters, Agri- businesses and researchers.
Jobs
- Surfers Against Sewage are advertising a vacancy for a Community Water Quality Officer. The deadline for applications is the 1st October.
- Dorset Wildlife Trust are hiring an Assistant Warden (North & West). The closing date is the 4th October.
- Plantlife have a vacancy for a Peat - Free Campaign Advocate. Applications in by 5th October.
- Environment Agency are looking for a Fisheries Technical Officer. The closing date is the 5th October.
- Natural England are recruiting a Somerset Senior Reserve Manager. Apply by the 8th October.