Nottinghamshire Public called on to #SaveOurWaters
Tuesday 21st October
Countryside lovers - walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, anglers, boaters and holidaymakers are being given an opportunity to speak up for the English rivers, lakes, ponds, beaches and wetlands they love by responding to a consultation on the future of England’s waters, published by the Environment Agency.
A wide group of environmental charities and organisations, including the Wildlife Trusts are frustrated with the limited progress made in protecting and improving our waters in recent years and have united under the banner ‘Blueprint for Water’ to urge countryside lovers and communities to respond to the Environment Agency.
The Wildlife Trust is now urging Nottinghamshire residents to have their say about the waterways and wetlands that matter to them: whether it’s the River Idle, Trent, Leen, Meden or smaller waterways such as the Fairham Brook.
The public can show their support on the ‘Save Our Waters’ campaign site at www.saveourwaters.org.uk.
The consultation offers a chance to highlight important issues such as flood management, pollution, management, wildlife and reducing water waste.
It’s also an opportunity to call for more support for positive wildlife protection measures and wildlife habitat improvements.
“With the support of our members and partners Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is working hard to restore nature to waterways across the county but to help ensure that species such as the water vole and otter can be secured for future generations we need a comprehensive plan for Englands waterways. We need the public to help us stand up for wildlife and to demonstrate that they want to see investment to help ensure that we restore nature to waterways across the country.” - Erin McDaid, Head of Communications.
This year looks set to be a pivotal year for otter sightings in Nottinghamshire, with records suggesting that otters are now once again breeding in the county – demonstrating the value of efforts by the Wildlife Trust and partnership such as the Environment Agency and water companies to improve water quality and restore riverside habitats. With more investment, other species could be brought back from the brink of extinction.
The Nottinghamshire Wildlife has been working hard on the River Idle for a number of years, recently installing woody debris into the river to alter flow to create spawning grounds for fish. Habitat creation is due to be carried out along Fairham Brook and the River Meden too in coming months, with the funding from all of these coming from the Environment Agency and other partners.
Its projects like these that ‘Blueprint for Water’ would like to see more of, but as part of a more co-ordinated plan of action for Britain’s waterways.
The Save Our Waters website also has an option for anyone who has a little longer to contribute their views, as well as pages setting out the detailed vision of the scientists and experts behind Blueprint for Water as to what good water management in England should look like in the future.
The consultation will be open for six months. Show your support by tweeting @nottswildlife a picture of your favourite waterway to #SaveOurWaters.
