A regular column from Chew Valley Area Forum Climate & Nature Emergency Working Group, collaborating with local people to reduce the carbon footprint of the Chew Valley. This month, something from the Nature Protection Group

The Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership has recently been established to bring together key organisations and communities to coordinate a programme of projects that will better connect and improve wildlife, water and wellbeing, and address impacts of climate change in the Chew Valley. 

Coordinated by Victoria Prescott, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Chew Valley Project Manager, it will build on the wide range of existing projects active in the valley.

The Partnership’s area of interest is the Chew Valley landscape area that includes the River Chew Catchment and extends from the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Keynsham (in North East) and Litton (in South East).

Chew Valley has important networks of natural and semi-natural areas, including the SSSI-designated Chew Valley Lake, Folly Farm, and a mosaic of important grassland sites and hedgerows in the upper catchment. The Chew sub-catchment, which includes the River Chew and its tributaries, forms part of the wider Bristol Avon Catchment.

Project work will include; improving land management to help reduce surface water flooding, improve soils and reduce diffuse pollution along with creating opportunities for habitat enhancement, fish recovery and tree planting and improving people’s health and wellbeing through access to nature and engagement in its care. The partnership is at early stages and has plans to create a web site. You can email: [email protected] for more information.

Another exciting project that has started this year is the Great Avon Wood, a ground-breaking partnership between Avon Needs Trees and the Forest of Avon which has led to the purchase of over 100 acres of land just two miles south of Whitchurch, Bristol near the village of Pensford, close to the A37. There are plans to plant over 40,000 trees over three years. 

Volunteers have made a great start with over 6,000 trees already planted this year, and there continue to be opportunities to get involved in the care of the young trees and to plant more in the autumn. 

Please check out the website if you are interested ( https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/woodlands/great-avon-wood/).

To find out more about CVAF C&NEWG, or if you would like to join us at our monthly Zoom meetings, email Jackie on: [email protected]