Chalk river restoration is complete after two years

A £1.72m chalk river restoration project has been completed after two years of work which is set to enhance local wildlife.

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust was awarded money from the government's Species Survival Fund early in 2024 for its Chalk Rivers project.

Hundreds of volunteers helped restore chalk rivers in Hertfordshire which support species like the endangered water vole, brown trout - and kingfishers.

Sarah Perry, river catchment coordinator at the charity, said early monitoring had shown improvements for the rivers and the wildlife they support locally.

According to The Wildlife Trusts, there are 200 chalk rivers known globally, with about 85% of those located in the UK.

They say England's chalk rivers and streams "are world famous for trout and salmon fishing, and the river corridor can often support a rich fen vegetation".

The chalk streams in Hertfordshire were worked on to be more resilient and better manage high or low flows of water.

Some riverbeds were raised with gravel while wooden debris was installed to create habitats for fish.

Invasive non-native species of plant, such as Himalayan Balsam, were removed to prevent erosion of soil near riverbanks, which negatively impacts the native vegetation.

Volunteers also helped reduce non-native American mink which have caused declining populations of endangered water voles.

Perry said: "While the Species Survival Fund project has now reached its end, our work to restore and protect Hertfordshire's chalk rivers continues."

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