Simon Hunter, Chief Executive, looks back at BART’s recent achievements
Since the Winter 2021 newsletter edition, the public and political focus on rivers and the issues that affect them has arguably been at an all-time high. Over the last six months or so, The Environment Bill has been passed, following extensive debate around how sewage pollution and water company responsibility should be incorporated, and the Environment Audit Committee report on river pollution has been published. It really feels like now is the time to build on this momentum to make a step change in looking after our rivers. Let’s hope that the words are followed with investment to deliver action on the ground.
The biggest development for BART in 2021/22 was winning £97k in new funding from Defra’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GCRF) to deliver a suite of “shovel ready” projects in the Chew Valley. This included the recruitment of Amy Wade, our Chew Valley Community Engagement Officer, and the development and delivery of a community and school education programme for 12 months. Find out more in our upcoming Summer Newsletter.
We also continued to deliver a suite of projects across the Bristol Avon, including work on the Bristol Frome, Little Avon, Upper Avon, Land Yeo, Congresbury Yeo catchments to name just a few and we’ve continued to grow our annual citizen science RiverBlitz project once again. We’re intent on doing all that we can over the years ahead to continue to deliver projects to improve our local rivers to achieve our ambition for thriving rivers and communities throughout the Bristol Avon.
I am so proud of all that the Trust has achieved over the last 12 months and look forward to more, even greater things in 2022. We could not manage any of this though without the support that comes from our volunteers, funders and project partners whose own passion propels the Trust in its mission to protect and restore our rivers across the Bristol Avon. Thank you.
The infographic below provides summary of BART’s achievements from March 2021-March 2022. A huge well done to our team and fantastic volunteers!
