WYLYE VALLEY
LANDSCAPE RECOVERY
A new, landscape-scale collaboration to restore a chalk stream, one of the world’s rarest habitats
The Wylye Valley Landscape Recovery project aims to re-establish the dynamism, diversity and ecological abundance of the stunning chalk stream and floodplain habitats in the Wylye Valley, Wiltshire.
The Wylye is home to the endangered Atlantic salmon which are genetically unique to southern chalk streams like the Wylye. Wild brown trout and grayling require a plentiful supply of cool, clean water, and a diversity of chalk stream habitats in which to thrive.
© Environment Agency
Our vision
Our vision is to create a river valley of rich and diverse habitat types, which will include crystal clear chalk stream water running through large beds of water crowfoot and densely vegetated margins rich in floral diversity. Naturally wetted floodplains will hold open standing water in the winter months and will be humming with pollinators amongst the wetland vegetation in the drier months.
Our long-term aims
Climate resilience
Improved resilience to extreme flows and temperature changes throughout the valley
Restored habitats
Naturally functioning, diverse habitats including meandering channels connected to the floodplain
Species abundance
A dynamic river valley brimming with healthy populations of fish, birds, invertebrates and plants
Reduced pollution
Enhanced ability to capture harmful nutrients and pollutants from urban and rural sources
What to expect
Defra have awarded the project funding for a two-year project development phase from April 2024 to April 2026. During this time, the project team will undertake detailed feasibility studies and financial modelling to plan an ambitious restoration project that will secure robust, long-term outcomes for nature and the local community.
We will not be carrying out practical works on the river during the project development phase. However, you may see our team out in the Wylye Valley conducting surveys.
The challenge
Like many of Britain’s rivers, the Wylye has been dredged, straightened and polluted over the last few centuries, putting its unique flora and fauna at risk of irreversible decline. As a result of reduced water quality, low flows, and poor-quality river habitat, wildlife such as river flies, Atlantic salmon, grayling and wild brown trout have suffered, whilst invasive plant species such as Himalayan balsam have been outcompeting native flora on river banks. Water meadows along the river have also disappeared, becoming fragmented and scarce, limiting the ability of wading birds, such as snipe, green sandpipers and lapwings, to spread and flourish.
Our team
The project involves 20 landowners and multiple local stakeholders, all contributing their knowledge and expertise to help restore the unique chalk stream habitats within the Wylye Valley
The local Wildlife Trust with experience delivering local river and wetland projects
A farmer-owned,
farmer-led cooperative helping farmers access natural capital markets
Project area
Our project area spans 20km of chalk stream and floodplain habitats in the Wylye Valley in Wiltshire. The project involves 20 landowners between Norton Bavant and Steeple Langford.
Nature restoration in a farmed landscape
The Wylye Valley Farmers are an independent, member-led farming cluster with a focus to weave joined up spaces for nature through a healthy, and productive farmed landscape. They work collectively to deliver greater benefits for soil, water and wildlife at a landscape scale.
Our farmers are proud of the precious habitats that have been under their stewardship for generations. They are keen to explore new ways that they can continue to produce high quality food within a restored, functional and biodiverse ecosystem.
The meadows of the Wylye Valley, long used for essential food production, have been altered and modified over the generations from rough, willow-strewn marshland grazing to carefully controlled water meadows and most recently to drained, dry meadows for intensive grazing or even arable production. They are the epitome of a damaged and depleted ecosystem.
Our meadows are no longer a food producing asset, therefore I am looking for biodiversity output, measured in tonnes per hectare of wildlife, rather than crops. Food production by grazing will remain but as we start to plan ahead, those grazing animals will be seen to deliver key conservation benefits too as food for people and biodiversity for the valley become twin, mutually supporting, sustainable aims.
Josh Stratton
Chair, Wylye Valley Farmers
Communities and stakeholders
Through this project we aim to understand how we can maximise opportunities to deliver environmental and societal benefits for residents, community groups and businesses in the Wylye Valley.
If this applies to you and you'd learn more or get involved, please get in touch . Our project team are more than happy to answer any questions and to provide further information.
A new, landscape-scale collaboration to restore one of the world’s rarest habitats
© 2024 by Wylye Valley Landscape Recovery
