Mid–Swale Nature Recovery project

Over 50% of historic wetland habitat has been lost from the mid-Swale area since the early 19th Century, and much of what remains is severely fragmented. As well as playing a large role in how water moves through a landscape, wetlands are a key component of river habitat connectivity and provide breeding and feeding ground for many bird, mammal and invertebrate species.

The main issues are:

• Lack of or disconnected floodplains
  Floodplains are the flat areas surrounding a river or stream. When a river floods the water moves into the floodplain which helps the water to lose its force and reduce flooding downstream. As the water drains away it deposits silts onto the land, creating a specialist habitat for plants and wildlife.
   
• Decreasing wetlands
  Wetlands are areas that generally hold water most of the time and include ponds, marshes and bogs. These areas may help to filter polluted water, reduce flood risk and again play host to specialist wildlife.
   
• Agricultural run-off
  This is a term used for water ‘running off’ the land particularly after heavy rain fall; bringing with it loose sediments and pesticides which wash back into the river.

If you own or manage land close to the Swale, Wiske or their tributaries and would like to know more about the project please contact Claire Burton at claire.burton@ywt.org.uk for more information.

You an also join our Facebook page here.

Environment Agency

YWT aims to work alongside landowners to tackle the above issues through education and practical land management. It is highly important that the works carried out benefit both the wildlife and the landowner.

Since the project began in 2020:

• Historic sites have been identified for restoration and nature recovery – particularly researching lost flora in the Swale/Wiske catchment.
   
• Fencing has been installed to improve a wetland area through conservation grazing.
   
• Areas of encroaching scrub have been cleared to maintain open areas for wetland flora.
   
• Six wetland scrapes have been created to benefit waders and create a mosaic of habitats.
   
• Two ponds have been restored and a new pond created.
   
• Wetland seeds and plants have been collected to propagate at a local nursery to ensure plants of ‘local province’ are available to use on other sites within the project area.
   
• Three plant surveys have been carried out to identify species present before meadow management plans are put in place.