Pennywort Post - Spring 2025
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- Category: Home
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The latest edition of the Pennywort Post is now available in PDF format documenting the progress of the fight against floating pennywort in the Yateley area. You can download it at the link below.
Rights Of The River - Save Our Chalkstreams
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- Category: Conservation
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The LFCC supports the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) in its efforts to gain more protection for chalk streams in the Loddon catchment. Of the three chalk streams (the Lyde - this is not mentioned by HIWWT, the Whitewater, and parts of the Loddon), none have adequate protection. This is especially problematic given the amount of development occurring in the catchment, which will lead to increasing pressures on rivers.
Of particular concern are run-off during and after construction, which can deposit silt in rivers, the increased demand for water in a catchment where nearly all sources are already fully exploited, and the increased volume of wastewater going into sewers. Already, sewage treatment plants within the catchment are discharging untreated effluent on too many days, and planned developments will make this worse, unless substantial investment is made in the sewerage system and in sewage treatment works.
Granting river rights to the chalk streams within the Loddon catchment would provide several significant benefits. Recognizing rivers as legal entities with rights to exist, thrive, and be restored ensures that they are protected from harmful activities and pollution. This approach has been successfully implemented in various parts of the world, leading to healthier ecosystems and improved biodiversity. By enshrining these rights, we create obligations for humans to act as custodians of these natural resources, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
Healthy rivers are essential for maintaining the Earth's natural water cycles, supporting diverse species, and providing vital nutrients to wetlands and oceans. They also play a crucial role in sustaining local communities, offering recreational opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Without adequate protection, the degradation of these chalk streams will result in the loss of an important biodiversity and recreational resource.
We encourage all responsible parties to support the plans to provide the Loddon chalk streams with the protection they deserve. By doing so, we can ensure the long-term health and vitality of these precious ecosystems.
LFCC - 28th April 2025
Save Our Chalk Streams - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
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- Category: Conservation
- Hits: 354
HIoWT has launched a campaign to get more protection for chalk streams. We have a few of these in the Loddon catchment and currently they received little protection considering how important they are as habitats. HIoWt is encouraging people to write to their MPs about the proposed National Planning Policy Framework. You can find background information at:
https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/rivers?mc_cid=34c99e576e&mc_eid=06f045f9d4
This includes a draft letter to send to MPs but it is best to tailor this to specific rivers or fisheries to make sure that your MP realises how this could affect the local area.
The Big River Watch - The Rivers Trust
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- Category: Conservation
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A free and easy way to help rivers
Twice a year we run a Big River Watch, and the next one takes place from 25th April to 1st May. These are week-long citizen science surveys in which everyone can take part in a simple activity that helps build a picture of river health across the UK and Ireland.
New for this year, if you'd like to collect even more information about your river, you can also sign up to the Great UK WaterBlitz, and test the water for phosphates and nitrates after you've completed a Big River Watch survey.
Our rivers are far from healthy. They're polluted with sewage, plastic, chemicals and nutrients, and just 15% of river stretches in England are in good overall health.
To restore them, we need more information about how they're doing. You can help us identify and locate the issues. With the Big River Watch app, you can help us identify the issues, and will contribute to a national data set that will help us build a picture of river health.
Find our more at our website: https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch?mc_cid=25d03f968c&mc_eid=06f045f9d4&mc_cid=34c99e576e&mc_eid=06f045f9d4
Invasive Non Native Species
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- Category: Invasive Alien Speicies (IAS)
- Hits: 353
With warming weather and the pond season beginning there is an increased risk of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) getting established. Guidance on risk management and prevention of the spread of INNS can be found on the Non-Native Species website.
https://www.nonnativespecies.org/#
Of special relevance to the LFCC there is guidance about floating pennywort.
https://www.nonnativespecies.org/non-native-species/information-portal/view/1766
There is also specific guidance for anglers:
And for boat owners:
The above two links lead for further information for both groups.
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