Our first post-pandemic forum with research updates

Vitacress Conservation Trust 2022 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum – 25 November

The annual Vitacress Conservation Trust (VCT) Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum took place on 25 November at Sparsholt College, Winchester, attracting 120 attendees with an interest in the health of the UK’s important chalk streams.

We were extremely fortunate to have Charles Rangeley-Wilson, broadcaster, filmmaker, author and journalist, Chair the event, particularly on the day that the CaBA Chalk Stream Restoration Strategy was published, giving Charles the opportunity to outline its content and answer questions.  This Plan will be used to drive progress by government and regulators, water companies, landowners, NGOs and river associations right down to the grass roots level of individuals who are passionate about their local river.

The other guest speaker was Martin de Retuerto, Strategic & Operational Director for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, supporting delivery of their Wilder 2030 strategy and striving to tip the balance in favour of nature’s recovery.

Building upon experience in project management of large, capital habitat restoration schemes and themes covering chalkstreams, river and floodplain restoration and freshwater systems, Martin’s focus includes the strategic development of programmes around expansion of the nature recovery network, protection of the nature reserve estate, rewilding, species reintroductions and nature based solutions.

Forum presentations available for download:

Chalk Stream Restoration
Charles Rangeley-Wilson – National Chalk Stream Restoration Group Chair

Tracking Water Quality – “A Co-designed Online Observatory for the River Chess”
Kate Heppell – Queen Mary University of London

Wilder Catchments – Shifting Status Quos
Martin de Retuerto – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

The Upper Itchen Initiative Update
Graham Roberts – UII Group Chair

PhD Updates:
• Using the Ecosystem Services Concept to Improve Understanding and Management of Chalk Streams
Jen Ball – University of Southampton

• Recognising and Protecting Aquatic-Terrestrial Biodiversity of Dynamic River Ecosystems
Kieran Gething – Nottingham Trent University

• Developing Watercress with Improved Phosphate Efficiency
Lauren Hibbert – UC Davis

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Managing and preserving Hampshire’s ecologically important chalk streams

Vitacress Conservation Trust 2018 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum – 23 November

The importance of managing and preserving Hampshire’s ecologically important chalk streams was discussed at the 12th annual Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum.

The forum provides an annual focal point for discussion and new ideas for the management of the wellsprings of some of Europe’s most ecologically important rivers. This year’s forum comes ahead of a new Environment Bill intended to set out a legal framework for the government’s promise to leave the environment in a better state over the next 25 years.

The forum at Sparsholt College brought together a diverse range of stakeholders including the Environment Agency, Natural England, the University of Southampton, students, scientists, authors and local conservation groups.

We are once again grateful to Merrick Denton-Thompson for Chairing the Forum. Merrick gave an overview of the successes of the VCT’s work to date, stating that the forum came at “an incredibly important moment in time” with enormous changes in rural policy.

During the day a number of speakers updated the delegates on various projects and PhD findings. VCT Trustee, Graham Roberts reported on the Upper Itchen Initiative Group, whilst Dr Pete Shaw updated delegates on the Bourne Rivulet initiative and gave a presentation on chalk stream restoration initiatives and their outcomes over time. Meanwhile, Jen Ball presented on her VCT/EA funded scientific research on ecosystem services associated with chalk streams whilst Professor Gail Taylor spoke on watercress genome sequencing as a tool to improve the crop and reduce its environmental impact.

Simon Duffield, from Natural England, addressed the impact of climate change on chalk streams. He said the rate of decline in flow rate by mid-summer this year indicates the fact climate change is happening, increasing the likelihood of further consecutive dry summers and further damaging declines in flow rate. Going forward, Dr Duffield said it will be important to build resilience to the pressure climate change places on the natural environment, implementing best conservation practice to combat adverse impacts and stressed the need for flexibility in order to support biodiversity in challenging climates.

Broadcaster, film-maker, author and journalist, Charles Rangeley-Wilson, spoke about the three key components of river restoration or recreation: water quality, water quantity, and the natural shape of the river. He said to achieve the full potential of all three, they must be addressed holistically. He also stressed the fundamental need to address the impact of historic dredging… “The floor of the river is the most hidden dimension but the most important one,” he stated, adding: “Without the floor, you’d disable the way the river naturally works.” He went on to show slides demonstrating the remarkable recovery of chalk streams once the impacts of dredging are mitigated.

The Forum was also an opportunity to recognise the work of others in the conservation of our chalk streams:

The winner of the 2018 VCT Conservation Award was naturalist Tim Sykes who works tirelessly through his role with the Environment Agency, and in his spare time with many other organisations and people including various Wildlife Trusts and educational establishments to ensure not only our chalk streams but the wider environment, are protected and enhanced.

As part of the charity’s continuing support of education, this year saw the first awards for the best Undergraduate / Masters Dissertations on research related to chalk streams. The worthy winners were:

Alex Kulczyk –  B.Sc. (Hons) Aquaculture and Fishery Management: Watercress derived isothiocyanates: A study to determine the impacts of trace levels of phenethyl isothiocyanate on early life stages of brown trout (Salmo trutta), and

Lisa Jones – Masters (MRes Advanced Biological Science) Thesis: Participatory Mapping of Cultural Ecosystem Services: Applying TESSA in Riverside Park, Southampton

Britain’s chalk streams are an important part of our environment and ecosystem and it’s vital that we work together as a community to ensure they are here for generations to come. We’re really proud of the dialogue that the VCT has built over the past 12 years and we look forward to continuing this work for decades to come.

Forum presentations available for download:

The Upper Itchen Initiative
Graham Roberts, VCT Trustee

P-Efficient Watercress Genomes Sequencing
Gail Taylor, University of Davis

Climate Change, Impacts and Adaption
Simon Duffield, Natural England

Chalk Streams: Perspectives on River Restoration
Pete Shaw, University of Southampton

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Progress on sponsored PhD research projects

Vitacress Conservation Trust 2017 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum – 24 November

We were delighted that Merrick Denton-Thompson kindly agreed to Chair our 2017 Forum.

Our first guest speaker, David Sears (University of Southampton), talked about the “Response of Chalk Lake Sediment and Total Phosphorus Records to External Forcing”, whilst  Charles Tyler (University of Exeter), gave a presentation entitled “Feminisation of Freshwater Nature”.

We also had our regular updates on the Bourne Rivulet and Upper Itchen Initiatives from Pete Shaw and Graham Roberts respectively, as well as hearing how the VCT sponsored PhD research projects are progressing with presentations from Asa White (University of Brighton) whose PhD is titled “Can Watercress Farming Directly Impact Fish Communities?” and Rob Holland (on behalf of Jen Ball) looking at “Ecosystem Services in Chalk Streams”.

It was also an opportunity for Ali Morse from the Test & Itchen Catchment Partnership to update on the Watercress and Winterbournes project lottery bid.

Forum presentations available for download:

The Upper Itchen Initiative
Graham Roberts, VCT Trustee

Watercress & Winterbournes
Ali Morse, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

The Bourne Rivulet Initiative
Pete Shaw, University of Southampton

Response of Chalk Lake Sediment and Total Phosphorus Records to External Forcing
David Sear, University of Southampton

Ecosystem Services in Chalk Streams
Rob Holland, University of Southampton

Can Watercress Farming Directly Impact Fish Communities?
Asa White, University of Brighton

Feminisation of Freshwater Nature
Charles Tyler, University of Exeter

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Celebrating our 10th anniversary!

Vitacress Conservation Trust 2016 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum – 25 November

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum, we were delighted to welcome our founding Patron, Lord Selborne, to Chair the event.

Gail Taylor, the Chair of the Vitacress Conservation Trust, took the opportunity to look back at the highlights of the Vitacress Trust over the last 10 years, reviewing previous Forums, Environment Lectures, research and other sponsored projects.

Pete Shaw and Graham Roberts, respective Chairs, updated the delegates on progress made through the Bourne Rivulet and Upper Itchen Initiatives.

Our guest speakers were John Fawell, who focused on the issues surrounding water quality, water resources and sustainable solutions, and Fran Davies, who gave an overview on Natural England’s work on chalk streams and conservation strategy.

The Open Forum provided a platform for some lively debate!

Forum presentations available for download:

VCT – The First 10 Years
Gail Taylor

The Upper Itchen Initiative
Graham Roberts

The Bourne Rivulet Initiative and Phosphorus Research Key Findings
Pete Shaw

Alternative Water Sources and Sustainable Water Use
John Fawell

Natural England’s Work on Chalk Rivers and Conservation Strategy
Fran Davies

University of Southampton’s report of the event

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The historical significance of chalk streams and their modern day management

Vitacress Conservation Trust 2015 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum – 6 November

The theme of this year’s forum was the historical significance of chalk streams and their modern-day management in terms of conservation, fishing and watercress farming.

The Environment Agency outlined their aspirations for improving chalk stream headwaters in Hampshire and the audience heard about research aimed at ensuring sustainable watercress farming. The forum also provided an opportunity for regular updates on the Bourne Rivulet and Upper Itchen initiatives.

Forum presentations available for download:

Vitacress Chalk Stream Headwaters 2015 Forum Proceedings

Bourne Rivulet Initiative Update
Gail Taylor

Upper Itchen Initiative Update
Graham Roberts

“Where the Bright Waters Meet” – The Historical and Cultural Significance of Chalk Streams
William Daniel

“Fish and Cress” – Watercress Farming and Chalk Streams
Neil Crooks

“Gin Clear” – Partnership Working – the Pathway to Success; A River’s Trust View of Chalk Stream Management
Paul José

“A Ring of Bright Water” – A Nature Conservation Perspective on Chalk Stream Management
Martin de Retuerto

Improving Chalk Stream Headwaters in Hampshire – Future Aspirations
Kerry Sims

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The role of chalk streams for water life and migratory birds

Vitacress Conservation Trust 2014 Chalk Stream Headwaters Forum – 7 November

This year we welcomed guest speakers Dr. Pete Shaw, Graham Rogers, Simon Tonkin, Ben Rushbrook and Peter Marren. Discussions included updates on the Bourne Rivulet and Itchen Initiatives, including the latest research into phosphorous levels.

Further presentations focused on the effects of chalk stream conservation in wildlife; the most notable being migratory birds and the crayfish population.

Lastly, Peter Marren spoke about the annual flooding of the River Kennet, the effects on local wildlife, and what can be done to tackle the issue.

Forum presentations available for download:

Vitacress Chalk Stream Headwaters 2014 Forum Proceedings

Crayfish Conservation
Ben Rushbrook

Bourne Rivulet Initiative
Pete Shaw

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