In January 2002, the Trust won £1.8 million through the Objective One partnership in Cornwall. This money was awarded to us to deliver a large-scale integrated catchment management project, which would produce improved habitat throughout 10 key rivers, and as a result, deliver significant economic benefit to Cornwall.

The project focused on achieving improved riverine habitat by positively influencing land management. The aim was to restore lengths of river corridor and reduce or eliminate the effects of excess nutrient leaching, sedimentation and reduced water quality by tackling these problems at source, i.e. on the land. The Trust targeted 670 farms and land holdings which had river frontage and decided to deliver bespoke integrated management plans for each individual which would not only produce huge environmental restoration and protection, but would lake this sustainable by improving the economic value of the river, to those holdings.

The farms and landholdings visited were within the 10 major river catchments of Cornwall, which range from those draining from the heights of Bodmin Moor right down to the Fal River in the west of the county. Advice was wide ranging, but focused on the importance of optimising resources for the benefit of both the river and farm as a business. Fertiliser optimisation, soil management, yard water handling and raising awareness of pollution pathways to watercourses were some of the main issues commonly addressed. Furthermore, over 10 new Cornish beats have been added to the highly successful Angling 2000 scheme; these should bring a welcome modest income for the landowners and an extra incentive for managing riverbanks sympathetically.

Grant aid was paid for over 70km of fencing along sections of vulnerable river bank, and several erosion control structures, soil run-off interceptors and diverters have also been installed.

To make analysis of the project easier and more visual, all relevant information, such as the completed fencing and other grant aided works, were entered digitally into a Geographical Information System held at the Trust’s offices. By delineating an area of the map, it was possible to see where works have taken place and to examine the impacts of land management styles. We have worked hard to ensure that the reporting and modelling outputs generated by the project were as useful as possible and can be expolited in many different ways, however, we do of course always respect the fact that our work with landowners is confidential, and thus any information which they give us is only used in summary format.

You can find out more about the Cornwall Rivers Project at www.cornwallriversproject.org.uk