What do you think are the key issues affecting the River Char? What do you think can we realistically do to help the River? Are you able to help with the Community Project?
Please complete Public Survey before 15th March 2021.
Project Background
For most of their journey to the sea, the River Char and its tributaries flow through the parishes of Wootton and Whitchurch.
So Char Valley Parish Council (which includes these parishes) has commissioned the Dorset AONB and Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) teams (using grants plus Parish Council resources) to pay for a snapshot study of the River Char. This will give us all a picture of the health of the river, identify problems and help to draw up an improvement plan.
In Phase 2 (which will need more funding) we will implement the plan, which is likely to involve working with experts, volunteers and residents to:
raise awareness of the issues facing the river
teach residents to monitor the river and do fish surveys
involve school children in learning about the river
control invasive species (e.g. clear Himalayan Balsam)
use natural measures to manage flooding and erosion
clear some riverside tree cover
remove/bypass barriers to help fish populations
help neighbouring landowners to install silt traps and plant hedges to reduce run-off.
