Ernest Cook Trust River Coln Restoration Project

Waterbodies covered

Led by the Ernest Cook Trust, this project aims to improve water quality throughout the estate through riparian management and river restoration. By engaging land-owners to fence of river stretches and plant riverside trees, the project will improve water quality alongside habitat diversity for fishes and invertebrates.

Latest

Hedge Laying Competition in Somerset 2024

Somerset Hedge Group is delighted to invite you to enter this hedge laying competition. Complete the form on this page to enter...
An Introduction To Hedge Laying - Saturday 9th November 2024

Somerset Hedge Group is delighted to offer a great opportunity in the Quantocks: An Introduction To Hedge Laying. A one day course run by qualified trainers. Saturday 9th November 2024, 9.30am - 4pm. Click here for full details and to book your place...
An Introduction To Hedge Laying - Saturday 12th October 2024

Somerset Hedge Group is delighted to offer a great opportunity in the Quantocks: An Introduction To Hedge Laying. A one day course run by qualified trainers. Saturday 12th October 2024, 9.30am - 4pm. Click here for full details and to book your place...
Devon Bronze Otter farm walk

Join us at Huxhams Cross Farm to celebrate The Apricot Centre being crowned winners of the 2023 Devon Bronze Otter Trophy.

Yellow Fish Project – Andoversford

After the success of our Yellow Fish Project on the River Ray in Swindon, we are now taking this International initiative to reduce pollution to the village of Andoversford.
The WILD Project (Phase 2)

The WILD (Water with Integrated Local Delivery) projects use the valuable knowledge, experience and commitment of local communities to protect and enhance their local natural assets. WILD 2 is the second phase of the WILD project that started in 2013.
Metaldehyde Mitigation Projects

Metaldehyde is the active ingredient in many slug pellets, which are essential for protecting crops such as winter cereals and oilseed rape against slug damage. Unfortunately, metaldehyde can be washed into surface waters where it will not dissolve or break down and metaldehyde is very difficult for water companies to remove through the drinking water treatment processes.
Living Landscapes (Cotswold Rivers)

The project aims to diversify the habitat by changing water flow speed, deposition rates and increase bankside vegetation. This will help promote biodiversity, alongside helping the existing populations of water voles, otters and kingfishers.
Healthy Churn Project

Two stretches of river have been restored with improved habitat and sources of sedimentation removed. Local volunteers engaged and social prescribing opportunities with the NHS explored, created working relationships with adult groups who now can direct clients to the environmental volunteering opportunities available locally.
Upper Coln Natural Flood Management

The project will be working with the local community to put in place physical structures such as woody debris dams and hedges and assessing whether we can improve the water holding capacity of the soil and infiltration rates by tackling compaction issues, planting deep-rooted legume and herb-rich swards and creating wetland areas.
Coln Habitat Management Programme (Entrust)

Restoration of river ecology and bankside habitat through in-channel works and reduction of overshading. Installation of large woody debris and leaky dams to slow water flow and improve fish habitat. Himalayan balsam removal. Working with local volunteers.
Farmer Guardians of the Upper Thames

The farmer lead collaborations of the Guardians of the Upper Thames, chaired by local farmer Richard Rumming, focus on the communities at risk of flooding by covering 16,000 hectares from the river’s source at Kemble to areas such as Cricklade in Wiltshire, aiming for methods of long term environmental improvements. Many positive outcomes have emerged from this particular initiative in the Cotswolds. Click here to find out more.

Become a member / Renew your membership

JOIN US! Become a friend or a member and you'll be helping to create a better farmed environment for everyone across the South West.
Mission and vision

FWAG SouthWest seeks to support, enthuse and inspire fellow farmers to value the environmental assets on their land and use them to secure sustainable and profitable businesses for the future.
Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme

The first FWAG Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme began in 2004 and has taken place annually ever since. The aim of the scheme is to provide farmers with a responsible, environmentally sound way to recycle plastic, preventing it from going to landfill. The scheme is simple and straight forward, with no membership fees so the farmers only pay for the plastic they bring.
Environmental Land Management Schemes

FWAG SW has a wealth of experience in the range of grants on offer and their suitability for your farm business. We can prepare and submit an application on your behalf and help with your evidence and record keeping requirements.
Kingfisher Project

The Kingfisher Award Scheme (KAS) provides children with the opportunity to go onto farms to explore the natural world.
Hills to Levels

Hills to Levels is a holistic catchment management approach, which began across catchments in Somerset, aiming to ‘slow the flow’ to reduce flood risk, reduce erosion, improve water quality, deliver wider environmental benefits and increase resilience on the floodplain.
Jenny Phelps

Senior Farm Environment Adviser & Glos Team Leader
Chief Executive Officer
Great Crested Newt Pond Scheme

Are you looking to create or restore a pond on your farm? This could be the opportunity for you. As part of Natural England’s District Level Licensing, up to 100% funding is available to create or restore existing ponds with Great Crested Newts at the forefront of the pond design. Click here to register your interest...
Somerset Catchment Partnership

Somerset Catchment Partnership is bringing together a range of organisations who work within the water environments of Somerset since 2013.