The Living River is a £1 million Heritage Lottery funded project that will involve people throughout the River Avon catchment with the conservation of its natural heritage. The project aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the River Avon system, focussing on how its natural heritage is linked to the rich cultural heritage of the area. It will invest resources from a range of partners in long-lasting improvements to biodiversity and access to the heritage, and will use innovative methods to engage audiences across the catchment and secure their support for its conservation.
The Living River targets four audiences: land managers, river users, influencers (such al local authorities) and the public who live and work in the catchment. Between 2006 and 20010 the project will complete the following programmes:
Biodiversity restoration
- at sites the public can access and enjoy, involving residents and volunteers in restoration activities
- addressing the management of invasive plants at a catchment-wide level through the development of a stakeholder forum, 20 year action plan and community involvement
- Demonstrating that biodiversity management and access can be mutually beneficial
Access and Interpretation
- Enhancing information and access to the river at over 40 sites across the catchment, working with the communities that live there
- Enhancing access to information about the river across the catchment through website, interactive media and exhibits
- Working with Salisbury International Arts Festival to develop river related theatre, sculpture and an audio archive
Education and Training
- Open days, volunteer activities and training to help people get more from their involvement, understand their relationship with the river system and take responsibility for it
- Raising awareness of the relationship between the river and water use in the catchment
The Project will demonstrate how a complex and largely privately owned natural heritage asset can be made widely accessible to a range of audiences.
Source: Natural England
