River health is connected to so many environmental topics, from biodiversity to climate change, making rivers a key way to focus sustainability work within a catchment. Sustainable South Hams has had a spotlight focus on rivers for the first half of 2023, including a productive Rivers Assembly.
This section is under construction and will be completed very soon!
On Saturday, March 18th, 2023, the Rivers Assembly convened at Kingsbridge Community College to address South Hams rivers and their catchment areas. This gathering aimed to bring together stakeholders, organizations, and communities to discuss and act on river conservation and sustainability. The day featured presentations on the five South Hams River Catchments, followed by an extensive exhibition showcasing various projects and initiatives, including those related to wildlife conservation, water quality monitoring, and community engagement. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in creative discussions, roundtable sessions, and topic spotlight talks. The event fostered knowledge exchange and collaboration among attendees to drive positive change for the region's rivers and ecosystems.
WATER’s approach is to consider the total catchment of the Erme from its source on Dartmoor to the many tributaries that feed it, as one inter-dependent habitat.
We had a wonderful time this year with our focus on rivers, including the Rivers Assembly back in Spring. As we shift our focus towards our upcoming 2024 Assembly on Education and Young People, we wanted to give you a quick update on what has come out of our rivers work and where there are opportunities going forward.
Wild About The Erme River (WATER) is a new organisation working to protect and restore the River Erme and its tributaries. One of two new catchment action groups, set up following Sustainable South Ham’s River Assembly earlier this year, WATER is focused on reducing pollution and increasing biodiversity within the River Erme and surrounding landscape. Read on to find out more about their current work and how you can get involved.
Engaging residents and visitors to conserve, enhance, and and value the South Devon National Landscape. Projects include Farming in Protected Landscapes, Access for All, biodiversity projects in the estuaries, coast, and landscape including Life on the Edge - restoring coastal species-rich grasslands for endangered invertebrates.
Our goal is to create and restore habitats within the Yealm Catchment, working with professional partners such as Westcountry Rivers Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, AONB, Dartmoor Parks Authority, National Trust.
We have been restoring and protecting freshwater environments in the Westcountry for more than 25 years. Our Mission is to restore and protect the rivers, lakes, and estuaries of the Westcountry for the benefit of nature, people, and local economies. Our Vision is to see people helping our Westcountry rivers flow freely and teem with life and valuing our vital natural resource, water.
Contribute to the resilience of our region's rivers, their habitats and wildlife
Hope Cove and Soar Mill beach cleans and beach surveys with SMASH
Yealm Estuary Moor aims to improve the health & biodiversity of the River Yealm