Coombe Hill Nature Reserve is an example of what can be achieved when a number neighbouring farms adopt a sympathetic approach to wetlands restoration. The area is now considered to be one of the most important sites for birds in the County.

'Longdon Marsh - Worcestershire'
This area has a long history of supporting wetland habitats, however drainage and ditching over the past 100 years has had an adverse effect on wildlife. SAVWP are helping to address this issue by working with land-owners to reverse these effects, and 're-wet' where appropriate.

SAVWP are involved in the implementation and creation of new wetland and flooding policy, allowing the Partnership to have an input at both individual site and 'Landscape' levels.

Snipe was once a common species in the Severn and Avon Vales. Loss of suitable breeding habitat and other factors have led to a significant decline in numbers over the last 20 years. By funding studies into the distribution of such species SAVWP are able to target the resources available, and take pro-active steps towards improving the distribution of such threatened species.

'Landowners enjoying a wetland walk'
Community and stakeholder engagement is key to all of the work undertaken by the Partnership.
Wetlands can be intimidating and confusing environments. The Partnership and its partner organisations aim to address this issue by encouraging people to explore wetlands and take a closer look at what can be offered.

SAVWP are involved in the implementation and creation of new wetland and flooding policy, allowing the Partnership to have an input at both individual site and 'Landscape' levels.

THEME	AIM

Agriculture / Rural Land use & Economy	To create and sustain, through viable farming partnerships, a mosaic of floodplain landscapes and wildlife.

Biodiversity and Landscape	To ensure the protection and enhancement of existing wetland habitats and to support the creation of new floodplain landscapes.

Floodplain and Water resource management	To fully integrate the objectives and benefits of wetland creation into floodplain and water resources management policies, strategies and practices.
Data Collation and dissemination	To monitor change and to collate and disseminate data in a readily accessible format to enable SAVWP to effectively plan, target and promote wetland creation, report on partnership success and contribute to floodplain and water resource policy development.
Communication and promotion	To promote greater appreciation of the economical and environmental value of floodplains, through the provision of managed access and interpretation.
Funding	To establish and maintain a diverse and stable funding resource to support the realisation of the Partnership’s long-term vision and objectives.

Please select an option from the list below:

Theme: Agriculture / Rural Land Use & Economy >> (click to open)

Aim: To create and sustain, through viable land management partnerships, a mosaic of floodplain landscapes and thriving wildlife
No.	Objective	Key Partners	Linking Objectives
			B1-4, FW1-5, D1-4, CP1&2, F1&2
A1	Contribute to the targeting process for agri-environment incentives to ensure maximum potential resources for Severn & Avon Vales	EA, EN, FWAG, DEFRA, WTs,,NFU	D,6&7,
A2	Target promotion of agri-environment schemes with S&AVales to ensure maximum environmental and socio-economic gain.	EN ,EA, FWAG, DEFRA, WTs, NFU	F3-5
A3	Contribute to the development and review of agri-environment incentives to ensure viable economic support for farming enterprises that are compatible with, or are delivering wetland habitat enhancements.	EN ,EA, FWAG, DEFRA, WTs, NFU	D6&7, F4
A4	Facilitate and support initiatives that enhance and diversify farming and rural incomes through wetland related initiatives. e.g. Branding of quality farm produce and tourism.	EN ,EA, FWAG, DEFRA, WTs, NFU	CP3,4,&6, F3-5
A5	Provide technical advice and site based project management to ensure that wetland creation schemes are implemented to a consistently high standard and achieve maximum potential biodiversity gain.	EN ,EA, FWAG, DEFRA, WTs, NFU, IDBs	F3-5
A6	Through the opportunities of consultation and other means, to seek compromise, to discharge or oppose, proposed changes in land use or land use practices liable to hinder, delay or conflict with the aims of protecting and enhancing existing wetland habitats and the creation of new floodplain landscapes.	ALL

Theme: Biodiversity and Landscape >> (click to open)

Aim: To ensure the protection and enhancement of existing wetland habitats and to support the creation of new floodplain landscapes.
No.	Objective	Key Partners	Linking Objectives
			A5, FW1-3, CP1-7, F1-5
B1	Ensure the protection, through appropriate management, of existing high quality wetland habitats and landscapes.	EA,EN,WTs,DEFRA, IDB	A1-4, FW4&5
B2	Extend the potential core area of high quality habitat though the promotion of enhanced management on sites of marginal quality.	ALL	A1-4, FW4&5
B3	Establish links between core wetland sites by the creation of new floodplain habitats on ecologically degraded farmland.
B4	Contribute significantly towards the realisation of UK and county biodiversity action plan targets for wet grassland, reedbed and wet woodland habitats, and county landscape character aims and objectives for wetland habitats
B5	Work with the aggregates industry and appropriate partners to develop wetland habitat creation opportunities linked to mineral extraction sites and plans most especially reedbed and wet woodland.	EN ,EA, DEFRA, WTs, STW, County Councils	A1-4,

Theme: Floodplain and Water resource management >> (click to open)

Aim: To fully integrate the objectives and benefits of wetland creation into floodplain and water resources management plans, strategies and policies of those who influence land management.
No.	Objective	Key Partners	Linking Objectives
			A2,4&5, B1-5, D1-3, CP1,5&7, F2
FW1	Identify and develop, in partnership with the Agency managed retreat schemes that integrate flood management, biodiversity and socio-economic gains	EN ,EA, DEFRA, IDB, WTs, RSPB, W&WT, NFU	CP2, F3-5
FW2	Ensure habitat rehabilitation/creation is integrated into floodplain strategic planning processes and management policies (CFMP, Tidal & fluvial strategies, CAMS, WFD)	EN ,EA, DEFRA, WTs, RSPB, W&WT, NFU
FW3	Identify and develop reaches of agricultural defence where targeted agri-environment schemes would support landowners and provide biodiversity gains through a reduction / abandonment of management.	EN ,EA, DEFRA, ADA/IDBs, WTs, RSPB, W&WT,	CP2, F3-5
FW4	Develop opportunities to enhance the biodiversity resource of Internal Drainage Board adopted watercourses and to manage waterlevels for habitat benefit	EN ,EA, DEFRA, ADA/IDBs, WTs,	F3&5
FW5	Identify watercourses under the Critical Ordinary Watercourse guidelines where biodiversity may be enhanced through a change of management authority.	ADA/IDBs, EA, EN DEFRA, WTs,

Theme: Data Collation and Dissemination >> (click to open)

Aim: To monitor change and to collate and disseminate data in a readily accessible form to enable SAVWP to effectively plan, target and promote wetland creation, report on partnership success and contribute to floodplain and water resource policy development.
No.	Objective	Key Partners	Linking Objectives
			A1-5, B1-5, FW1-5, CP1-7, F1-5
D1	Review the Wetland Restoration Study (Ecoscope 1999) to reflect new opportunities and changes in flood management and agricultural policy	ALL
D2	Draft a partnership wide strategy for land use, landscape, floodplain and water resource management, incorporating wetland opportunities outside of identified zones (Ecoscope).	ALL
D3	Develop vision maps of potential restoration zones to support targeting of agri-environment and other resources.	ALL + landowners, tenants and local communities,
D4	Establish a mechanism that ensures key data, e.g. CSS agreements is regularly updated and available to the wider partnership.	ALL
D5	Ensure SAVWP success is reported and incorporate into relevant monitoring processes. e.g. UK & county BAP reports	ALL
D6	Contribute to and disseminate national data on eco-hydrological and best habitat management practices.	EA. EN, RSPB, W&WT
D7	Undertake and report on an economic appraisal of the cost to farming enterprises of developing wetland habitats and the agri-environment incentives required to achieve BAP targets in the S&A vales.	FWAG, DEFRA
D8	Establish and implement a mechanism through which the biodiversity and landscape character gains can be monitored and reported.	ALL

Theme: Communication and Promotion >> (click to open)

Aim: To promote greater appreciation of the economic, social and environmental value of floodplains, through the provision of managed access and interpretation.
No.	Objective	Key Partners	Linking Objectives
			A1-3, FW1-5, D1-8, F1-4
CP1	Publicise the Partnerships successes and experiences through the publication of literature and the effective use of local, national and specialist media.	ALL
CP2	Promote opportunities for managed access through links with tourism and rural regeneration initiatives.	ALL	A4&5
CP3	Establish and maintain a SAVWP Web Site to disseminate information to, and encourage contact with, a wider public and professional audience.	ALL
CP4	Establish a series of events to promote awareness of the partnership and wetlands to local communities	ALL
CP5	Inform and influence public perception as to the impact of wetlands on flood risk	ALL
CP6	(Re-) establish the S&A Vales Wetlands Partnership Forum as a mechanism for engaging with the wider planning and rural communities	ALL
CP7	Improve the Partnershipas profile with senior policy / decision makers at regional and sub-regional level, through presentations to key committees / conferences etc.	ALL
CP8	Quantify and promote the positive economic, social and environmental impacts ofE wetlands and the work of the SAVWP, making appropriate links to regional and sub-regional economic development programmes, including community strategies.	ALL
CP9	Research and promote awareness and cultural traditions/heritage related to community life, land use and resource management associated with wetland landscapes and their historical perspectives.

Theme: Funding >> (click to open)

Aim: To establish and maintain a diverse and stable funding resource to support the realisation of the Partnershipas long-term vision and objectives.
No.	Objective	Key Partners	Linking Objectives
			ALL
F1	Establish a financial management system that will enable the partnership to access a diversity of funding streams.	Executive Committee
F2	Secure adequate core funding to support the on-going employment of the partnership Officer up to and beyond April 2006.	ALL
F3	Generate new funding streams that will support the development and implementation of wetland restoration projects, including site acquisition for nature reserves..
F4	Generate new funding streams that will support the development of the Severn & Avon Vales as a regional identity to support tourism and product marketing.
F5	Generate funding to support the provision of project management services for CSS agreements.

Download Aims & Objectives
Download a copy of our Aims & Objectives as printable PDF.
Size: 1,261kb

Click here to download aimsobjectives.pdf (1,261kb)

HOME BACK TO TOP OF PAGE SEND TO A FRIEND PRIVACY POLICY SITE MAP