1. Wessex Chalk Streams Project (WCSP)

The Wessex Chalk Streams Project (WCSP) has been going strong since 1999. The partnership project is led by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and strongly supported by Natural England, Wessex Water, Environment Agency, Wessex Chalk Stream & Rivers Trust and the Wiltshire Fishery Association. The WCSP is working to restore sections of the Hampshire Avon and its tributaries within Wiltshire. One of Europe’s finest chalk streams, the River Avon is a unique and fragile habitat and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Working with volunteers and specialist contractors, the WCSP delivers a number of large and small scale projects each year. We can also provide expert advice to fishing clubs, river keepers and landowners to encourage best practice in river management.

Projects planned for delivery during 2019 and 2020 include:

Western Arm Phase 2
Mill hatches bypass on the Upper Avon
Habitat improvement works and gravel introduction on the Upper Avon
Habitat improvement works on the Upper Avon above Enford
Habitat improvement on the River Nadder at Tisbury
Bank protection works on the River Wylye near Warminster
Invasive Non-Native Species control and management
Garden Meets Rivers Edge
River Fly Monitoring
Biosecurity workshops and awareness

Latest

Waste Free Feb challenge saves over four tonnes of rubbish

Read how over four tonnes of rubbish that would otherwise have gone in the bin was avoided in February thanks to Wiltshire residents who took part in Waste Free Feb.
Spring butterfly spotting

Read our guide to spotting butterflies at home or when out on a walk
Sustainability Project

Find out how we're reviewing our carbon footprint to make sure we’re carbon-neutral by 2030.
A naturalist in England

Helen Mugridge, who has already given a number of excellent talks to the group, is returning to give an illustrated talk covering wildlife from around the country.

6. Bristol Avon - By Brook

Find out more about our PEBBLE project on the By Brook...
2. River Fly Monitoring

Riverfly monitors go out once a month to monitor invertebrate communities using a method developed by The Riverfly Partnership.
South West wide - Biosecurity Awareness

We are working with RAPID LIFE, a three-year project (2017-2020) piloting innovative approaches to IAS management in freshwater aquatic, riparian and coastal environments across England.
7. Bristol Avon - River Biss

ABBA (A Better Biss Approach) - An exciting new project to re-energise river habitat conservation efforts in and around Trowbridge.
8. Bristol Avon - Semington Brook and Worton Stream

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is working to engage with landowners to help to deliver a number of restoration projects along the course of the Semington Brook and Worton Stream.
9. Hampshire Avon - Nadder NFM

We are working with Wessex Chalk Stream and Rivers Trust (WCSRT) and the Environment Agency on a Natural Flood Management (NFM) on the upper headwaters of the River Nadder.
3. Invasive Species Removal

The spread of invasive non-native plants along the River Avon and its tributaries threatens the future survival of our native plants and animals.
5. Hampshire Avon - Garden Meets River Edge

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is working with Natural England to help homeowners, local contractors and estate agents living and/or working within the River Avon SSSI to understand why the Hampshire Avon is so special.
4. Hampshire Avon - Western Arm

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is working with Wessex Water and local landowners to restore the upper reaches of the Hampshire Avon, in the western arm of the river between Devizes and Rushall.