Keeping Rivers Cool is a four year (2012-2016) Environment Agency led climate change adaptation project focused on using trees to keep rivers cool. Three pilot catchments have been targeted for the first two years of this project, namely: Wye, Hampshire Avon, Tyne.

We are pleased to invite you to read the first newsletter of the EU FP7 project REFORM (Restoring rivers for effective catchment management).

 A review by the Forest Research and ADAS, jointly commissioned by the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency has shown the important role of woodlands in delivering WFD objectives.

A summary of the report is available on the Environment Agency website (here), and the detailed scientific review is available on the Forest Research website (here).

 In April 2011 the Environment Agency began piloting new approaches for engaging with people and organisations at a catchment level in ways that can make a difference to the health of all our waters and habitats. The pilots will run until December 2012.

Less than 50 years ago, the River Wandle in South West London was officially a sewer. Last summer it was declared one of England’s 10 most improved rivers, supporting all sorts of wildlife and even spawning trout. One of the most recent projects, nearing completion, is the restoration of a branch of the river through Wandle Park in Croydon which until recently was buried in a culvert. It won’t be long before the newly excavated channel is reconnected to flow freely through the rejuvenated park, for everyone to enjoy.