Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Allen Beechey Chalk Streams Project Officer

Chilterns Chalk Streams Project  Created in 1997  Prompted by low flows in the 1990’s  Originally the Misbourne & Chess Valleys Project  Expanded in 2000 to include all rivers  Partnership project  Led by Chilterns Conservation Board

Chalk Streams Project Objectives  Practical Conservation.  Provide advice to landowners on riverside management.  Improving access to chalk streams for the general public.  Education.

Why are Chalk Streams Special?  Globally rare  Important part of Chilterns landscape  Diverse plants and animals  Threatened habitat  Poor understanding

 Rises at Pednormead End  18km long  60m fall  Average gradient 1 in 300  Joins R. Colne at Rickmansworth  Last working watercress beds in the Chilterns  A true highlight of the Chilterns AONB R. Chess Facts

Local Community Groups Impress the Chess  Project launched  Partnership project: - Chesham Town Council - Chilterns Chalk Streams Project - Environment Agency - Chiltern District Council - Chesham Environment Group - Chesham Rotary Club  Coordinated action  Volunteer involvement

Local community groups River Chess Association  Set up last year  Stakeholder partnership  Community-led  Conserve R. Chess  Lobby on water issues  Increase awareness  Monitor wildlife  Education

 Impress the Chess project  Cost - £62K  Restore chalk stream habitat along a heavily modified section of river  Improve access  Install interpretation  Award winning Conservation Meades Water Gardens Regeneration

 Chorleywood House Estate - Bank restoration  Tree management - Frogmore SSSI - Micklefield Hall  Fencing - Latimer Conservation Enhancing habitat

 2001 survey established baseline  Resurveyed in 2003  97% population decline  Recovery scheme introduced in 2004  Mink control  habitat improvement  Landowners key Conservation Water Vole Recovery Project

Education Trout in the Classroom  2 schools in Chess Valley - Rickmansworth Park School - Waterside School, Chesham  Part funded by ItC  Now in its 3 rd year

Trout in the Classroom Rickmansworth Park School  Trout released in April  60 fish released  River visit held in June  Supported by RCA

Monitoring Anglers Monitoring Initiative  Developed by Riverfly Partnership  EA approved method  8 groups of insect  10 sites along river  monitored by volunteers on monthly basis  Enables detection of pollution incidents

Monitoring Anglers Monitoring Initiative

Monitoring Invasive weeds  Surveys of river in 2007 & 2009  Himalayan Balsam  Japanese Knotweed  Control strategy developed

R. Chess Key challenges  Over abstraction  Urbanisation of catchments  Invasive non-native species  Water quality  Fragmentation of riparian land  Increased climatic volatility

Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Allen Beechey Chalk Streams Project Officer