December Newsletter 2019

Words from the Chair: Dr Richard Cresswell (MBE)

Welcome to the December 2019 Newsletter and Christmas greetings to you all.

I am delighted that the BACP has been able to financially support a further 4 projects within the catchment through its Catchment Fund. Although we acknowledge that the level of funding is not large, it is facilitating a range of feasibility studies which are likely to lead to defined projects attracting greater funding in the future.

The range of projects already being conducted across the catchment is impressive and these can be viewed on the online map (see below).

I wish you all a happy and successful 2020.

Dr. Richard Cresswell MBE

Nightingale Valley, Brislington, Bristol

News and Events

Dates for the Diary

Friday 13th December 2019 "A Christmas Cracker" - Short talks by members, wildlife quiz and festive refreshments - Avon Willdife Trust Baptist Church Hall, Keynsham, BS31 1DS

Saturday 14th December 2019 Geminids Star Gazing - Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Blakehill Farm, Cricklade, SN6 6RA

Please book onto the events via partner websites or affiliate links. For more information on upcoming events run by the partners of the BACP please see the partners websites below: Avon Wildlife Trust - https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/events Bristol Avon Rivers Trust - http://www.bristolavonriverstrust.org/get-involved/ Wiltshire Wildlife Trust - https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/Pages/Category/volunteer-with-us?Take=24

BACP Online Projects Map Updated

We have updated the BACP Online Projects Map. Now you can access a PDF with information about each project and you can view the geographic area of most projects via the project extent links. (More details of all BACP projects can be found in the Summary Action Plan on the BACP website).

To view the Online Projects Map please click on the button below- or if you have feedback on what else you would like to see on our Online Projects Map please email [email protected].

Online Projects Map

Catchment Partnership Fund Phase 4.2 Allocated Funding

The BACP Catchment Partnership Fund Phase 4.2 closed in mid-October with keen competition and seven strong applications entered for the £14,500 small grant pot. Partners agreed to contribute funding to four projects and alternative funding was also identified for other applications. Please find more information about the projects in "Project Updates" below.

Avon Needs Trees

Avon Needs Trees is continuing its fundraising to buy 34 acres of woodland and pasture for re-forestation at Hazeland near Chippenham. You can support them by buying gift cards. Every £2.50 allows them to buy one square metre! A gift through Avon Needs Trees enables them to plant new, permanent forest. Their gift cards are free for donations over £10 and can be personalised as a thank you or birthday gift to someone you care for.

To buy a gift card please see the link below:

Gift Cards

Ash Dieback Appeal Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

The woodlands in Wiltshire are in danger, the fungal disease Ash Dieback has taken hold. This disease will lead to the decline and probable death of every Ash tree in Wiltshire and these make up 60% of trees in Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves. Please help us respond to this emergency by making a donation today.

Make a Donation

Project Updates

The following projects have received funding form the BACP Catchment Partnership Fund Phase 4.2. If you would like to know more information about any of the following projects, please feel free to contact the BACP via this email: [email protected]

Fish Passage on the Bristol Frome - Phase 4.2 River Frome Reconnected Partnership

The Environment Agency is providing most of the funding for this project with a small amount of match funding from the BACP. The scope of this project is to undertake fish passage feasibility studies on the 12 most important barriers to fish migration within the lower and middle reaches of the Bristol Frome Catchment.

The study will help shape the preferred option and prioritise the structures with the aim that as future funding becomes available fish pass improvements will be implemented on all of the 12 barriers. The following lines of work will be investigated and completed as part of the project and presented in the final report;

• Landownership and stakeholder consultation • Protected species surveys • Floral Assessment • Identification of conservation and historic designations • Infrastructure assessment • Flood Risk • Assessment of structure to fish passage

Landscape Vision for the North Somerset Levels and Moors - Phase 4.2 Avon Wildlife Trust

The North Somerset Levels and Moors are 30 square miles of grazing marsh containing over 100 miles of watercourses, and situated South of Bristol, between Clevedon and the Mendip Hills. Part of the coastal levels of the Severn Estuary, this area contains 3.5% of the remaining wetland habitat in England. The importance of the area as wetland habitat is demonstrated by the number of designated wetland sites it contains: one Ramsar site, a national nature reserve and six sites of special scientific interest. Avon Wildlife Trust manager five wetland nature reserves in the area.

The current North Somerset Levels and Moors Partnership project is now in its final year, having been instigated in 2015 to bring major stakeholders together in order to develop a shared understanding of the catchment and a more integrated approach to its management. The new Landscape Vision Project will build on this success by developing a long-term, holistic vision for the North Somerset levels and Moors. Avon Wildlife Trust will lead on the delivery of this vision, with input from a wide range of partners and stakeholders. This vision will incorporate the West of England Nature Recovery Network and will address:

• The key issues affecting water quality for each sub-catchment • A review of the work undertaken by different partners/agencies and identifying successes and failures • identification of key locations for potential projects to improve wildlife corridors and enhance Natural Capital • Set priorities for future research based on knowledge gaps identified • Identify ways to promote an appreciation of landscape, history and wildlife value with the wider public

STRIVE (Save Trowbridge's Rivers) - Phase 4.2 Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

This multi-partner project will have multiple benefits supporting the regeneration of Trowbridge as well as improvements to the catchment environment and biodiversity. It will be jointly funded by BACP and Wiltshire Council. The project has several elements including:

• Constraints and opportunities mapping that will inform regeneration and development plans, including: heritage, access, recreation and connectivity, habitat management, carbon offsetting, Biodiversity Net Gain. This will facilitate planning processes and lead to joined-up and sustainable development for Trowbridge that serves people and nature. • Investigations and physical works to improve and restore habitats and natural processes, including options for weirs and sources of poor water quality. • Improvements to the river and ponds for the benefit of local community and tourists including aesthetics, access and connectivity • Engaging with local businesses and communities to improve understanding and impacts on the river.

Somerset Frome Wallbridge Project - Phase 4.2 Somerset Frome Partnership

The Somerset Frome Partnership, led by FWAG-SW, has held encouraging discussions with Mendip District Council regarding the provision of flood risk mitigation measures linked to new housing development in this catchment. The partnership is seen as well placed to deliver this work. BACP funding has been awarded from Phase 4.2 of the Catchment Partnership Fund to enable the partners to develop a strong project plan and an application for funding from Mendip District Council.

Although the Local Authority funding is primarily to address flood risk management, it also provides opportunities to integrate multiple benefits in line with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and BACP Goals. The sub- catchment is currently failing WFD due to high levels of phosphate and many of the Natural Flood Risk Management (NFM) measures that will be delivered under the future project will help to address this and other environmental issues. The project will also contribute to the evidence base for the benefits of different NFM approaches. This could include the creation of a Natural Capital Account for the area to provide a basis for monitoring benefits and ongoing management requirements.

Nightingale Valley, Brislington, Bristol

Useful Links & Relevant Information

State of Nature Report 2019 National Biodiversity Network

A report has been published by the National Biodiversity Network detailing the changes in the abundance and distribution of UK species from 1970-2019. The document also highlights how human impacts are driving changes in the UK wildlife and biodiversity, as well as current and future initiatives to recover lost species populations.

Both losses and gains in biodiversity are reported, however on average the UK's wildlife population is found to have declined over the past 50 years; a 13% decline in average species' abundance, and 5% decline in average species' distribution are reported.

The report also finds that public support for nature conservation is continuing to grow, with a 46% increase in time dedicated by volunteers.

To read more about this report, please click the button below.

View the Report

A Practical Guide for Farmers: Lowland Natural Flood Mangement

A guide has been produced by the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) to provide simple, clear advice on the provision of natural flood management measures for lowland areas.

This document is based on the publications 'Natural Flood Management Measures - a practical guide for farmers (2017)' which was produced by the Yorkshire Dales National Park. it has been compiled by the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, Hull & East Riding Catchment Partnership, Dales to Vale River Network and North Yorkshire County Council, with support from Natural England and the Environment Agency.

To view the guide please click on the button below.

View the Guide

Blue Care Guide - "Feeling Blue?" West of England Nature Partnership (WENP)

There is no shortage of evidence linking time spent in the natural environment with improved health and wellbeing. However, a recent article in the Guardian makes clear the specific benefits that Blue Spaces provide to our physical and mental health.

Apart from the fact that aquatic environments typically have beneficial environmental factors (including less polluted air and more sunlight) and induce higher levels of physical activity among residents, water also has a psychologically restorative effect, giving rise to positive mood and reducing negative mood and stress.

Luckily, in partnership with Active Ageing Bristol and Bristol Health Partners, WENP this year helped produce a Blue Care Guide for the West of England. Although focused on people over 55, the water-based activities in the Guide are relevant to everyone. Please take a look at the guide by seeing the button below- and feel free to share!

View the Guide HERE

Nightingale Valley, Brislington, Bristol

What's Going on Nationally?

Challenges and Choices Consultation 2019

The Environment Agency has launched a consultation in October seeking views on the challenges our waters face and the choices we all need to make to improve and protect this precious resource.

The response to this consultation will help shape the future approach to the management of the water environment and be used to update the existing River Basin Management Plans in 2021.

The closing date for receipt of your comments is 23 April 2020.

If you are interested please find more information in the document below.

Find out More