Wildlife is returning to one of the world's rarest river types.
Wetlands created at Keswick Marsh in Norfolk are giving birds,
amphibians, and plants a better chance to thrive on a threatened
chalk stream.
The River Yare is one of only 210 chalk streams in the world,
with 58 found in East Anglia. The Environment Agency, Norfolk
Rivers Trust, and Water Resources East have worked together to
reshape more than 7 hectares of riverbank and floodplain,
reconnecting the river with surrounding land.
New ponds, shallow pools, and reshaped ditches now allow water to
spread naturally across the floodplain in winter and hold water
for longer during dry periods. This restores the natural water
cycle, reduces flood-risk downstream, and creates the varied,
mixed habitat that many wetland species depend on.
Amy Prendergast, catchment delivery manager at the Environment
Agency in East Anglia, said:
It has been fantastic to work in partnership with Norfolk Rivers
Trust to create new wetland features at Keswick Marsh, delivering
vital habitat for wildlife on the outskirts of Norwich.
Our rivers are facing increasing pressures from pollution, low
flows, and habitat loss. That is why we are investing through our
Water Environment Improvement Fund to restore and enhance the
water environment, supporting projects like this that will
benefit both wildlife and local communities for years to come.
Donna Dean, restoration and catchment development manager at
Norfolk Rivers Trust, said:
The site is already piquing the curiosity of a range of wildlife.
Egrets, coots, shelducks, newts, dragonflies, foxes and even a
little ringed plover have been recorded visiting the works some
of them entirely new records for the site.
It's really rewarding to see wildlife returning so quickly, and
we look forward to watching the site continue to establish.
The works deliberately create edge habitats, where open water
meets land which support the greatest variety of species. Inland
wetland birds, amphibians, and a range of wetland plants will
benefit directly.
, programme manager at Water
Resources East, said:
The Norfolk Water Strategy Programme (NWSP) was pleased to
support this project through funding provided to the Norfolk
Water Fund from the Royal Bank of Canada. NWSP is collaborating
across Norfolk to scale up nature-based solutions for water
security.
The work carried out by Norfolk Rivers Trust at Keswick on the
Yare is one of many projects which is helping that shared vision
become a reality.
The 20-acre site was provided pro bono by Lady Dannatt, HM
Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk. Funding was provided by the Norfolk
Water Strategy Programme, which is hosted by Water Resources East
in partnership with Norfolk County Council, Anglian Water and the
Nature Conservancy and by Anglian Water's Get River Positive
programme and the Environment Agency.
Following a both wet winter and a historic summer drought - the
driest July in nearly two centuries - the nation is now bracing
for an intensified, wetter winter. The Environment Agency remains
ready to respond to both ongoing drought conditions and any
winter flooding incidents.
- For media enquiries, please contact Norfolk Rivers Trust:
georgia@norfolkriverstrust.org
/ 07944 443711
- Photos are available to download from WeTransfer: https://we.tl/t-Nn2LC6KiRzpPjRaK.
Available for 3 working days.
- The total project cost was £97,764, and it took 3 weeks
to complete the on-ground delivery and species mitigation works.
The feasibility work took place 2-3 years, including habitat and
species surveys, consenting, peat core surveys, design work and
securing blended funding sources.
- The Norfolk Water Strategy Programme (NWSP) aims to improve
how water is managed in the chalk catchments of Norfolk through
scaling up investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS). More
information can be found here.
- Norfolk Rivers Trust is an independent environmental charity
dedicated to protecting and restoring Norfolk's rivers, wetlands,
and chalk streams for the benefit of wildlife and people. Find
out more at norfolkriverstrust.org.uk.
- The Environment Agency launched Flood Action Week on 12
October to help protect the nation. The campaign aims to
encourage people to prepare for flooding by taking proactive
steps such as knowing their flood risk, preparing a flood plan,
and getting flood warnings. Search flooding on
https://www.gov.uk/ to find the risk to your home, business or
neighbourhood.
