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).

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.

 Green Week is Europe’s biggest annual conference on the environment. This year’s event, which explored the EU’s approach to water policy was attended by Toni Scarr (Project Manager RESTORE), Chris Baker (RESTORE Communications lead), Bart Fokkens (Chairman ECCR) and Philip Weller (ICDPR). 

RESTORE was pleased to be invited to give a presentation at the launch of the London Borough of Lewisham’s European River Corridor Improvement Project. Susan Sheahan (RESTORE, Communications & Media Advisor) spoke about the development of the RESTORE project and presented an overview of the RESTORE River Wiki, handbook and website.

Advancing European Integrated River Basin Management - side session

23 May - 11.30 - 13.00

Salon Rouge

These presentations will highlight the European-wide experience of integrated river basin management and how initiatives such as the Water Framework Directive, EU LIFE project funding and transnational approaches to basin programs have assisted in the advancement of water quality improvements, environmental flows and aquatic biodiversity at the river basin scale across the EU.