September 2024

News from the team

As the mornings and evenings darken and the weather changes, our attention turns to a busy season restoring our wet habitats. For the core team, that varies between supporting strategy and policy, such as advocating for rivers and wetlands within Dorset’s developing Local Nature Recovery Strategy, to sharing the excellent work our partners have done in various catchments over the last year (action plan update coming soon!) and working directly with partners and their contractors delivering peatland conservation. We’re also working hand in hand with partners to secure future funding for important work in key parts of our catchment, with some good successes to help speed up and enhance improvements to our rivers and wider catchments (more on this soon!).

Earlier this month I attended the Big Chalk conference, which was inspiring and wholeheartedly reinforced that we achieve more together than separately- from my conversations around the room, it’s also clear that Dorset has a partnership track record that many areas are envious of!

With a growing workload across the partnership, I am pleased to welcome Holly Ellis to our team. Holly has just started a 5-year Environmental Management degree apprenticeship with us, the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership and the University of the West of England. She is already starting to get out and about and see our projects in action and meet the partners making them happen so please get in touch if you have opportunities Holly could join in with.

Happy reading,

Natalie 

Partner update

Beavers at Little Sea, Studland 
Last January two adult beavers appeared at Little Sea in Studland. The National Trust does not know how they got there but have since been focusing on ensuring the future of these important ecosystem engineers in Purbeck. Over the past few months, the NT have been monitoring their movements and behaviours using trail cameras, thermal imagery and identifying trail signs. During the year the beavers have been busy building a lodge, feeding from trees around the lake, and this summer the beavers have successfully bred producing one kit. 
 
The NT at Purbeck is keen to protect the animals and their habitat and ask that visitors give the beavers space and time to settle into their new home. The key messages are to keep dogs on leads and do not let them swim in the water. Beavers are not naturally aggressive but will defend themselves if they feel threatened. Also, do not use lights to search for them at night as this can distress them. The best way to protect the beavers and other wildlife is to stick to the designated paths and watch from a distance using binoculars. 
 
The partners of the Purbeck Beaver Project are still pursuing a licence from the government to release more beavers at Little Sea. In the meantime, wild beavers are already present in Dorset on the River Stour and a Dorset Beaver Management Group has been set up by the Dorset Catchment Partnerships. The group enables a coordinated approach to providing information, and guidance to communities where beavers are present, with licensed practitioners helping landowners and communities access the support they need quickly.
 
Further information:
 
Dorset Beaver Management Group | Dorset Wildlife Trust
Beaver Management - Beaver Management
Beavers at Little Sea, Studland | National Trust

Gen Crisford

NT Project Officer, Beavers and Wetlands

Wider news

The watershed pollution map
Watershed Investigations has released a pollution map showing over 120 sets of data collected regarding pollutants and nearby bodies of water. The data includes river health, bathing water health, historic landfill sites, sewage dumping, intensive farming, heavy industry, and more. 
This map will be continually updated, with existing data updated once a year.

Pharmaceuticals in rivers
The Westcountry Rivers Trust and the University of York have published a study that found pharmaceuticals in river water at 52 out of 54 locations monitored across all ten national parks in England. The study found that the levels were potentially harmful to fish, invertebrates, and algae. This could also be a contributor to the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Freshwater habitat guidance
Freshwater Habitats Trust has published guidance on introducing small freshwater habitats into local nature recovery strategies. This guidance includes information about their importance, appropriate targets when using the recovery strategies, and habitat assessment methods.

The River Lemon Partnership Project to Improve Passage
Westcountry Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency are carrying out a project on the river Lemon to improve the fish passage and natural function of the river. 

Water quality testing
An Environment Agency scientist has written an article explaining how she tests water quality in bathing water. Learn about the process from her receiving the samples, to filtration and incubation.

Wildlife Trust makes the case for free-living beavers
The wildlife trust has published ‘A vision for the return of beavers’. This explains their hopes and reasonings behind the reintroduction of beavers into English rivers.

Your watercourse: rights and roles
The Environment Agency has updated its watercourse guidance for people with land or property next to a main river. This includes guidance on collaborative flood risk reduction, sustainable maintenance of rivers, and information on other relevant organisations.

Local news

Southbourne reusable cup scheme
The Dorset Cup Scheme has been launched in Southbourne by Litter Free Dorset. Members can borrow a reusable cup, enjoy their drink, and return it to a participating café.

SeaCheck app
BCP, Wessex Water, and other partners have collaborated to create an app that allows the public to view weather data, water temperature, and wave height. This data has been collected from multiple sources to improve water safety.

Wilder Connections project
Dorset Wildlife Trust has received funding from Southwestern Railways to restore spaces for nature around railway stations and lines. The works will take place at the Poole and Hamworthy railway stations, and the railway line to Corfe Mullen.

New harbour walls in Weymouth
In early 2025, work will undergo in Weymouth to replace the two main harbour walls. The work will be dependent on sea conditions and the tide. The work will likely be finished by the end of 2025.

Have your say

Flood defence scheme
BCP council will be providing a new flood defence scheme to reduce tidal flood risk in Poole. Have your say on the scheme here, before the 30th September.

Sand dune management
BCP Council has launched a survey on the management of the Sandbanks sand dunes. Your views will help to shape the Sandbanks Dune Management Study. Have your say before September 30th.

Dorset Coast Forum Conference 2024
DCF has invited members to have their say on the current coastal challenges. The conference will take place on the 24th of October. Book your ticket here.

March for clean water
On October 26th, River Action UK has organised a ‘March for clean water’ in London. See more about the event here.

Funding

Decarbonisation funding for businesses
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has allocated match-funded grants between £500 - £5000 to help businesses reduce their carbon impact. Applications close on the 3rd of October.

Rewilding Challenge Fund
Rewilding Britain is offering up to £100,000 for a rewilding project that will work with different partners to increase rewilding at land or sea. Apply before the 11th October.

Nature Buddies Community Access Fund
There is funding available from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and DEFRA for capital access improvements in the Dorset National Landscape. There is £15,000 available to distribute, with applications closing on the 11th October.

Events and webinars

Repair Café Purbeck 
Repair café Purbeck is hosting a clothes swap and repair event on the 18th November.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy webinar 
The Dorset LNRS webinar will take place on the 3rd October. Discover what a local nature recovery strategy is and how to get involved. Register your place here.

Waxcap Watch
Plantlife’s Waxcap Watch has returned this year. Record the waxcaps and grassland fungi you find in a free app. This will help to locate and protect rare grasslands and ancient meadows.

Dung Beetles workshop 
Claire Whittle is running a free workshop session explaining the role of Dung Beetles in parasite management. This will include a farm walk around Harvard Farm in Yeovil, taking place on the 23rd October.

Wimborne Green Festival 
Planet Wimborne is hosting a festival week to hear about the environmental activities in and around Wimborne. Several events are taking place, such as bird ringing and moth trapping. The festival starts on the 12th October.

‘Six Inches of Soil’ Film 
Planet Shaftesbury is hosting a film night and panel discussion at Shaftesbury Town Hall on the 10th October. The film will look at the farmers transforming food production practices using regenerative farming.

Jobs

• Footprint Ecology is looking for a Senior Ecologist. Applications close on the 29th September.
• South West Lakes Trust is advertising for a Head of Fisheries position. Apply by the 4th October.
• The Wildlife Trusts are advertising for a Public Affairs Officer. The application deadline is the 6th October.
• The Institute of Fisheries Management is advertising for a part-time CEO. The closing date for applications is the 7th October.
• Wessex Water has a vacancy for a Principal Ecologist. The application deadline is the 11th October.
• People's Trust for Endangered Species is looking for a Rural Hedgehog Officer. Apply before the 20th October.