Ciwem's Living Wetlands Award For STREAM

STREAM developed a cost effective monitoring protocol to help assess how successful restoration was against physical and biological targets. Initial indications are that in-channel vegetation growth, physical habitat variety and fish target species numbers have all increased as a result of the restoration works. STREAM recently completed restoring seven kilometres of the River Avon system to a more sustainable size and shape, improving its ability to support important aquatic habitats and species such as Atlantic salmon, lamprey and chalk river plants.

The management of the lower River Avon is also linked with the management of the grazing marshes of the Avon Valley. Breeding waders and wintering birds are dependent on suitable conditions being created by controlling and retaining water on the floodplain. Weed cutting, management of structures and natural variations in flow have had an important influence on water levels in the river and valley. 

In order to integrate management of water levels in the valley and the needs of migrating fish populations in the River Avon, STREAM developed two tools suitable for areas where there are potential conflicts between river and wetland management. The first uses existing fishery data to generate colour coded maps, which can then be used to assess the potential impact of measures such as ditch reinstatement and new structures on fish. The second is guidance on developing hatch operating protocols for structures that balance a number of river and floodplain interests. 

In addition to the more technical work, STREAM also runs an extensive programme of activities including site workshops, seminars for landowners and fishery managers, community events and open days. With the Living River project, over 5000 people have become involved.

STREAM runs for four years and is supported financially by the European Commission's LIFE-Nature fund, Natural England, Environment Agency, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Wessex Water.

Justin Taberham, CIWEM's Director of Policy and judge for the Living Wetlands Award said: "CIWEM received an amazing diversity of entries to the Living Wetlands Award this year from a wide range of types of organization, from an energy company to wildlife trusts and local authorities. Amongst a very strong pool of entries, the STREAM project stood out to me and the other judges as an outstanding wetlands project. Congratulations to all involved."

The award was presented to Jenny Wheeldon, STREAM's Project Manager, at CIWEM's World Wetlands Day Conference on February 10th in London. Jenny said: "The last few months have been an exciting time for the project, particularly with as the project has been awarded CIWEM's Living Wetlands Award, which recognises multi-functional projects that demonstrate the sustainable use of wetland habitats. The success of STREAM is the culmination of a long standing commitment of private industry, statutory, charity, and angling organisations in the catchment to bringing fishing, conservation, engineering and local communities closer together."