There are only around 220 chalk streams in the world, with 80% of these endangered rivers located in England. They are also incredibly rich in life; supporting more species of plants than any other English river and home to invertebrate and fish species found nowhere else.

However, our precious chalk streams are under threat. During 2022, untreated sewage was discharged into Hampshire and the Isle of Wight rivers for a shocking 38,525 hours. Current government targets only plan to cut 3% of sewage spills a year – barely a dent in the deluge of raw sewage that ends up in chalk streams. In addition to sewage spills, water is currently being taken from chalk streams and the aquifers that feed them at an unsustainable rate, made worse by increasing droughts caused by the climate crisis. 

The government says all of our rivers, including chalk rivers, will not be in overall healthy condition until 2063.

The Wildlife Trust’s new ‘Save our Chalk Streams’ campaign, supported by, Conservationist and TV Presenter Megan McCubbin, is calling on the government to tackle this crisis, by introducing new laws to make polluters pay, hold water companies to account and rapidly repair the damage done.

Megan McCubbin said: “There are so many chalk streams in the south of England, there are more here than anywhere else around the world. And therefore, we really do have a duty to protect them and its wildlife. But what’s shocking for me is that the government predicts that rivers and chalk streams will only be healthy by 2063. By that point I’ll be nearly 70 years old. It terrifies me that in my entire lifetime I might not see a fully functional, healthy river.

“We need to be protecting these habitats so much more than we already are. These rivers and streams are so important for our water, for our wildlife, and so much more. We need to be acting more now to protect these eco-systems, as they are critical for us, not only as human beings but also for wildlife. We are asking for more designation; we are asking politicians to listen up and give more protection for these sites. We need specific legislation to protect specific qualities of these habitats and we need your help too. We need you to use your voice and speak up for chalk streams. So please message and email your MP today.”

Children from Whitchurch Church of England Primary school were thrilled to meet Megan and took part in a range of education activities alongside the River Test, which runs along the school grounds. Led by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Wessex Rivers Trust Engagement Officers (in conjunction with Watercress & Winterbournes), everyone enjoyed discovering which species call the chalk stream home and exploring the features of the river.

Megan added: “It has been great to don my wellies and meet up with lots of children from Whitchurch Church of England Primary School. Our aim was to go out and see all the invertebrates and creatures down by the banks of the River Test. We’ve been lucky, seeing silverback and water beetles, and lots of shrimps and things to get us all excited. And we should be excited about these habitats as we are so lucky to have them. The children have had a great day learning about all the wildlife and the issues that our precious chalk streams face.”

Sienna Somers, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “The astonishing fact is that not a single river in England, including our iconic chalk streams, is in good overall health. We know that people across the country are sick of seeing our rivers being abused. The government says our rivers won’t be healthy until 2063 but this is too late for nature, and certainly too late for those of us who would love to be able to enjoy clean rivers in our lifetimes.

“Chalk streams are our equivalent to the Great Barrier Reef or the Amazon Rainforest: a truly special habitat that we need to protect for generations to come.

“We need to see powerful new protections and immediate action, so that our chalk streams can be brought back to their former glory now, not in 40 years!”

Out of the 220 British chalk streams, only 11 currently benefit from any legal protections as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), but we need to see protections go further to halt damaging practices on our chalk streams and accelerate action.

Arthur, aged 9, took part in the activities with Megan and said: “I’m going to be 49 years old in 2063. We’ve been looking for mini beasts that I find fascinating today and I think we should help protect them. It makes me feel quite sad that, I don’t want to have to wait until I’m 49 years old.”

Ruby, aged 9, added: “I think the River Test is very cool as it’s chalk - the chalk releases air which goes into water which is very interesting to learn about. I don’t think it’s right and I’m a bit devastated because it’s so interesting to look at the animals and creatures in the river, and then to imagine it being all polluted and just not nice to look at.”

To support our chalk streams, everyone can take action by writing to their MP, asking them to become a chalk stream champion and advocate for chalk stream protections. Find out more.