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.
Key documents
Useful Contacts
| Category | Organisation / Contact | Details | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Environment Agency Incident Line | Call: 0800 80 70 60 | Report water pollution or illegal fishing incidents immediately |
| Emergency | Southern Water Pollution Hotline | Call: 0330 303 0368 | Report wastewater / sewer leaks and pollution incidents immediately |
| General | Environment Agency – Citizen Science Lead (Matt Owen-Farmer) | Email: matthew.owen-farmer@environment-agency.gov.uk | General Citizen Science enquiries |
| Wildlife | Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – White-clawed Crayfish (Dr Ben Rushbrook) | Email: ben.rushbrook@hiwwt.org.uk | Conservation queries, sightings, ark-sites, invasive crayfish |
| Wildlife | Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – Freshwater & River Engagement | Email: feedback@hiwwt.org.uk | General river and freshwater engagement enquiries |
| Wildlife | Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – Ecological Survey & Monitoring services | Email: arcadian@hiwwt.org.uk | Ecological assessments, species monitoring, conservation planning |
| Monitoring | Riverfly Partnership – Local Coordinator | Email: masadaecology@btinternet.com | Becoming a local Riverfly volunteer |
| Monitoring | Riverfly Partnership – General Enquiries | Email: info@riverflies.org | General Riverfly enquiries |
| Monitoring | Smart Rivers (WildFish) | Email: smartrivers@wildfish.org | Invertebrate monitoring information |
| Partnership | Test & Itchen Catchment Partnership (TICP) | Email: info@wessexrt.org.uk | Habitat restoration ideas, funding and partnership support |
| River Organisation | Test & Itchen Association (T&IA) | Email: info@test-itchen.com | Water quality, river management, fishing, research, media |
| River Organisation | Wessex Rivers Trust – General | Email: info@wessexrt.org.uk | Habitat restoration case studies and landowner support |
| River Organisation | Wessex Rivers Trust – Volunteering | Email: applications@wessexrt.org.uk | Volunteering opportunities |
| River Organisation | Wessex Rivers Trust – Education | Email: education@wessexrt.org.uk | Education sessions, resources, and youth engagement |
| Conservation | Wild Trout Trust (WTT) | Call: 023 9257 0985 | Email: office@wildtrout.org | River restoration advice and habitat improvement |
Training Providers
| Organisation | Details | Contact / Website |
|---|---|---|
| Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) | Training, webinars and catchment-based learning resources connecting organisations working to improve water environments | Visit Catchment Based Approach |
| Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) | Courses on habitat management, fisheries, invasive species control and conservation skills | Visit GWCT |
| Waterlife Recovery Trust | Training and volunteering opportunities focused on invasive species management, particularly mink control | Visit Waterlife Recovery Trust |
| River Restoration Centre (RRC) | Best practice guidance and training for river restoration | Visit River Restoration Centre |
| Floodplain Meadows Partnership | Training and advice on meadow management and restoration | Visit Floodplain Meadows |
| Local Riverfly Trainers – Volunteer Enquiries | Contact the local Riverfly co-ordinator (Matt Owen-Farmer) for becoming a volunteer | Email: masadaecology@btinternet.com |
| Riverfly Training & Support | Wider training and support in river invertebrate monitoring, sampling and analysis | Email: richard@bugdiversity.co.uk |
Habitat Management
Habitat Management & Resources
| Resource | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Winterbournes Guidance (Habitat Management) | Guidance on managing and restoring winterbourne habitats | View Winterbournes Guidance |
| Looking After Your Garden Riverbank | Practical advice for managing and maintaining riverbanks in private gardens | Download Riverbank Guide (PDF) |
Talks & Videos
| Title | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Chalk Stream Management and Maintenance | Overview of management techniques and good practice | Watch |
| Habitat Management in Chalk Stream Fisheries | Focus on managing habitats within chalk stream fisheries | Watch |
| The Devastation and Restoration of England's Chalk Streams | Covers historical impacts and restoration efforts | Watch |
| Enhancing Chalk Stream Habitats | Practical approaches to improving chalk stream habitats | Watch |
Behaviour Change
| Resource | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Spawning (redds) awareness posters | Information to help recognise and protect salmon spawning areas | Download Spawning Awareness Posters |
| Itchen salmon leaflet | Guidance on protecting salmon and their habitats in the River Itchen | Download Itchen Salmon Leaflet |
| Responsible pet treatment (tick / flea) posters | Advice on reducing pollution from pet treatments entering waterways | Download Pet Treatment Poster |
| Responsible duck feeding guidance | Guidance on feeding ducks responsibly to protect water quality and wildlife | Download Duck Feeding Guidance |
| Septic Smart leaflet | Information on maintaining septic systems to prevent pollution | Download Septic Smart Leaflet |
| Septic Smart video | Overview of septic system management and best practice | Watch Septic Smart Video |
| Using Water Wisely in Your Garden (video) | Tips for reducing water use in gardens to support river health | Watch Water Wise Gardening Video |
| Water Wise Gardening: Get Smart With Soil (video) | Advice on improving soil health to retain water more effectively | Watch Soil Management Video |
Planning Guidance
| Resource | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Chalk Stream Planning and Development Guidance | Guidance on getting involved in planning to support and protect chalk streams | Download Planning Guidance |
| Chilterns Chalk Stream Planning Guidance | Additional planning guidance focused on chalk stream protection | Download Chilterns Guidance |
| Support Our Chalk Streams Through the Planning System (video) | Overview of how planning can help protect chalk streams | Watch Planning System Video |
| Creating Sustainable Drainage Systems – Part 1 (video) | Introduction to sustainable drainage systems and their role in development | Watch SuDS Part 1 |
| Creating Sustainable Drainage Systems – Part 2 (video) | Further detail on implementing sustainable drainage systems | Watch SuDS Part 2 |
Education Resources
| Resource | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| How to River Dip – Guide for Children and Young People | Introduction to river dipping, helping young people explore rivers safely and learn about wildlife | Download River Dipping Guide (Children & Young People) |
| How to River Dip – Guide for Teachers and Group Leaders | Guidance for organising and leading safe and effective river dipping sessions | Download River Dipping Guide (Teachers & Leaders) |
| How to Plan a River Visit – Guide for Teachers and Group Leaders | Advice on planning river visits, including safety, preparation and educational value | Download River Visit Planning Guide |
Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
| Resource / Organisation | Details | Link / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| INNS Pocket Guide | Quick reference guide to identifying and managing invasive non-native species | Download INNS Pocket Guide |
| Mink Reporting & Response Flowchart (Volunteers) | Guidance for volunteers on reporting and responding to mink sightings | Download Mink Flowchart |
| CABI Biological Control Resources (e.g. weevils) | Information on biological control approaches to managing invasive species | Download CABI Resources |
| How to Identify Mink | Identification guide to help distinguish mink in the field | Download Mink Identification Guide |
INNS Projects & Support
| Organisation / Project | Details | Link / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) | Coordinates prevention, monitoring and management of invasive non-native species across Great Britain, including public guidance, data collection (GB NNSIP), and partnership working | Visit NNSS Website |
| Wessex Rivers Trust (INNS Project) | Support for invasive species management, including advice and project work | Email: info@wessexrt.org.uk | Tel: 01722 654253 |
| Test & Itchen INNS Project Portal | Information on local INNS work and project activity across the Test and Itchen catchments | View T&I INNS Project Portal |
| T&I INNS E‑newsletter Sign‑up | Sign up for biannual updates (April and November) on INNS activity | Sign up for INNS Newsletter |
Community Catchment Groups
Running a Group & Events
| Resource | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| How to Form a Group | Guidance on setting up and running a community group effectively | Download Group Formation Guide |
| Safeguarding Quick Reference Guide (2026) | Key safeguarding principles and guidance for group leaders and volunteers | Download Safeguarding Guide |
| Safeguarding Video | Overview of safeguarding responsibilities and good practice | Watch Safeguarding Video |
| First Aid and Water Safety Providers | Information on training providers for first aid and water safety | Download Provider List |
| Life Jacket Guidelines | Guidance on selecting and using life jackets safely | Download Life Jacket Guidance |
| How to Run Events | Guidance for planning and delivering successful events | Download Events Guide |
| How to Organise a Work Party or Activity | Practical advice for organising volunteer work parties and activities | Download Work Party Guide |
| How to Run an Open Chalk Stream Event | Guidance on delivering public-facing chalk stream events | Download Open Event Guide |
Health, Safety & Good Practice
| Resource | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Good Practice Guide to Invertebrates | Guidance on handling and protecting invertebrates during activities | Download Invertebrate Guide |
| Generic Risk Assessment Template | Template to support planning safe activities and events | Download Risk Assessment Template |
| Let’s Stay Safe in the Sun | Advice on sun safety for outdoor activities | Download Sun Safety Guide |
| Lyme Disease Poster | Information on preventing and recognising Lyme disease | Download Lyme Disease Poster |