Chalk streams are internationally rare habitats unique to the south and east of England and Normandy in France. Unfortunately, this habitat has been neglected by historical land use practices. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project has helped plan and find funding to deliver on-the-ground habitat improvements to many of the chalk streams throughout the area.

Background

Several organisations came together in 2003 to form the partnership: Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (host), Environment Agency, Anglian Water, Natural England, Wild Trout Trust and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The partnership aims to:

• Make sustainable improvements to chalk streams, focused around the Lincolnshire Wolds
• Raise awareness of chalk streams and their importance
• Improve our knowledge of Greater Lincolnshire\'s chalk stream habitats
• Restore and improve Greater Lincolnshire\'s chalk streams for the benefit of wildlife and the community

A Project Officer came into post in 2006 to deliver the aims of the partnership. The project has gone from strength to strength and in 2012 was recognised for its work by winning the prestigious Bowland Award. The award is presented to projects for achieving 'the best project, best practice or outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty\', and promotes landscape scale conservation through partnership working.

Actions

A dedicated project officer provides management advice to landowners, farmers and communities as well as planning and sourcing funding for restoration projects. Since 2011, habitat restoration and improvement works have taken place on more than 18km of chalk stream. A monitoring officer also helps to raise awareness of Lincolnshire chalk streams through educational activities and community engagement.