Living Landscapes (Cotswold Rivers)

Waterbodies covered

Implementation of deflectors, faggots and other wooden silt traps to recreate lost meanders of the River Coln. Work has taken place between Fossebridge and Bibury to re-create habitats that were lost during channel modifications for the old water meadows. 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.

This project is led by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. To read more about this project, please click here.

This project is part of a nationwide Living Landscape project. For more information, please click here.

Latest

[11.04.24] Wessex Water: River Tone, Parrett and Yeo Phosphorus Reduction Scheme

FWAG SW are working with Wessex Water and farmers in sub-catchments of the Rivers Tone, Parrett and Yeo to reduce phosphorus (P) runoff from farmyards, tracks and fields by three tonnes per year by 2025. Click here to read more...
Wessex Water: Tone, Parrett and Yeo Phosphorus Reduction Scheme

FWAG SW advisers are working with Wessex Water and farmers in sub-catchments of the Rivers Tone, Parrett and Yeo to reduce P runoff from farmyards, tracks and fields by three tonnes per year by 2025.
Award evening celebrates our Silver Pintail winner for 2023

In March we gathered at Harts Barn, Gloucestershire to announce the winner of the 2023 Silver Pintail Award for farming and conservation. Click here to read the full blog...
Farmland Bird Identification Event at Frampton Court Estate

A fantastic day of farmland bird identification with our knowledgeable & passionate guides, Gordon Kirk, regional representative from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Richard Hollis, FWAGSW’s trainee Farm Environment Advisor in Cornwall. The discussions offered guidance on distinguishing common farmland birds through visual observations and contrasting calls.

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.
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.
Ernest Cook Trust River Coln Restoration Project

Led by the Ernest Cook Trust, this project aims to improve water quality throughout the estate through riparian management and river restoration.
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.
Countryside Stewardship

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.
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.
Kingfisher Project

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

Senior Farm Environment Adviser & Glos Team Leader
Chief Executive Officer
Somerset Catchment Partnership

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

Our advisers are located throughout the south west, and cover Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.