This page brings together a valuable collection of resources created and curated over the lifetime of Watercress & Winterbournes scheme.
Chalk streams are one of the rarest freshwater habitats on the planet, with most found here in England. These clear, distinctive rivers – and their seasonal headwaters known as winterbournes – support unique wildlife and depend on careful, informed management.
The Watercress & Winterbournes project has worked with communities and partners to protect and restore these special environments.
This page brings together practical tools, guidance and learning from the project alongside trusted external resources. Whether you’re supporting a local group, managing land, planning activities or simply want to learn more, these resources are here to help continue that work.
Useful Contacts
- Environment Agency – Incident Hotline:
- Wessex Rivers Trust:
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust:
- White-clawed crayfish enquiries:
- Riverfly Partnership:
- Smart Rivers Programme:
- Water Quality Monitoring Network:
- Test & Itchen Catchment Partnership:
- Test & Itchen Association:
- Wild Trout Trust:
- Southern Water – Pollution / emergency hotline:
Training Providers
A number of organisations offer training, events and resources to support rivers, wildlife and community engagement:
- Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) – Training, webinars and catchment-based learning resources connecting organisations working to improve water environments. www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) – Courses on habitat management, fisheries, invasive species control and conservation skills. www.gwct.org.uk
- Waterlife Recovery Trust – Training and volunteering opportunities focused on invasive species management, particularly mink control. www.waterliferecoverytrust.org.uk/
- River Restoration Centre (RRC) – Best practice guidance and training for river restoration www.therrc.co.uk
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Floodplain Meadows Partnership – Training and advice on meadow management and restoration www.floodplainmeadows.org.uk
Habitat Management
Chalk streams and winterbournes are unique and sensitive habitats, requiring careful management.
- Winterbournes guidance – practical advice for managing seasonal chalk streams, including sediment, vegetation and invasive species considerations.
- Looking After Your Garden Riverbank – practical guide to managing riverbanks in domestic and local settings, highlighting their importance to river health.
Behaviour Change
Small actions can make a big difference to river health:
- Spawning (redds) awareness posters
- Itchen salmon leaflet
- Responsible pet treatment (tick / flea) posters
- Responsible duck feeding guidance
- Septic Smart leaflet and video
- Save Every Drop water conservation resources
Planning Guidance
Planning and development have a key role in protecting chalk streams:
- Chalk stream planning and development guidance
- Advice on avoiding impacts on water quality, flow and habitats
- Resources supporting nature-based solutions and sustainable land use
Education Resources
Support learning and engagement with young people and schools:
- How to River Dip – Guide for children and young people
- How to River Dip – Guide for teachers and group leaders
- How to Plan a River Visit – Guide for teachers and group leaders
Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
Managing invasive species is critical to protecting native wildlife and river health:
- INNS pocket guide
- Mink reporting and response flowchart for volunteers
- INNS Secretariat
- CABI biological control resources (e.g. weevils)
- How to identify mink
- WRT INNS project resources