Rivers and their surrounding areas are a rich source of beauty and wonder. They connect people and communities, provide a sense of identity, and bring happiness and well-being. Rivers are a vital source of life, but many are under threat.
Riverlands is a long-term programme and forms a really important part of how we deliver our ambitions for nature over the next 10 years. Our overall aim is to improve water quality and deal with threats to species while providing greater public benefit. We will only achieve these aims by working with partners and supporters, and engaging people’s love of the outdoors.
The programme currently includes 12 projects across England and Wales identified as places where the need is greatest, and where together with our partners, we can make the biggest impact. To begin with, our main focus will be at Porlock Vale streams in Somerset, The Derwent in the Lake District, The Bollin south of Manchester, The Bure in North Norfolk, The Conwy in North Wales and The Doe Lea and the Poulter (Midlands).
The Environment Agency are a national partner on this programme as well as working with us at all of the projects in England. We are also working in partnership with Natural Resources Wales at the Conwy. Each project has many local delivery partners and we are looking to develop other partnerships that will help us deliver our aims from a wide range of organisations large and small, and in a range of sectors.
Our work will include looking after rivers themselves, the landscapes they flow through (catchments), and the species and habitats that they support. We’ll also focus on cultural heritage, looking at how people’s lives have been influenced by rivers and catchments and what this means now and in the future.
