The Rivers Trust joins Campaign for National Parks in highlighting threats to iconic waterways - The Rivers Trust
The Rivers Trust have partnered with Campaign for National Parks (CNP) to launch the Rivers at Risk report, which lays out the state of rivers across National Parks in England and Wales and identifies key changes needed to protect and restore them.
The report showcases the expertise of The Rivers Trust’s technical team, who analysed publicly available data on river health to find trends for each of the 13 National Parks in England and Wales, as well as identifying six rivers at risk: River Cleddau (Pembrokeshire Coast), the Wye (Peak District), Meon (South Downs), Lymington (New Forest), Bure (Broads) and Pulham (Exmoor). Additional data obtained through Freedom of Information request helped us evaluate how National Park Rivers are affected by the water company price review process, and related decisions made by the water companies and regulators. The report also draws on the latest National Park Management Plans to review their ambitions for waterways.
National Parks are home to some of England and Wales’s most biodiverse and ecologically important rivers. These iconic spaces are home to internationally renowned wetlands, glacial lakes, globally rare chalk streams, and sensitive headwaters. Rivers running through National Parks are home to a huge variety of wildlife, including rare species such as water voles, beavers, bittern, eel, and the endangered Atlantic salmon. Their position in the wider landscape means they hold a crucial role in supporting natural flood management, building resilience to climate change, and provide immense value to millions of people for recreation and relaxation.