Kingfishers © Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Watercress and Winterbournes Partners
Watercress and Winterbournes is a five-year Landscape Partnership Scheme that is protecting, enhancing, and celebrating seven local chalk streams. The scheme is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and brings together 16 partners, including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
We're honoured to be co-ordinating the partnership and collaborating with these knowledgeable and dedicated organisations. The core partnership for the scheme is fixed, but if your organisation would like to support our work in another way then we'd love to hear from you.
Meet the partners
Cheriton Conservation Volunteer Group
The Cheriton Conservation Volunteer Group was established in 2016 to provide support to the infrastructure of Cheriton – a village near Alresford that is the source of the River Itchen. The group of dedicated residents regularly undertake voluntary work in the area, including improvements to support wildlife and habitats. They are supported in their endeavours by several local businesses.
Country Land and Business Association
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is a membership organisation for owners of land, property, and businesses in rural England and Wales. It offers independent and impartial advice on every aspect of landownership, and pursues positive development for the rural economy by promoting the interests of its members at regional and national levels.
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a public body that works to create better places for people and wildlife across England, as well as supporting sustainable development. Its priorities include working with organisations to manage the use of resources; increasing the resilience of people, property, and businesses to the risks of flooding and coastal erosion; protecting and improving water, land and biodiversity.
Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust
Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust is a charity dedicated to rescuing historic buildings which are under threat from a lack of either maintenance or a viable use. For almost 30 years they acquired, restored, and put back into use a range of local buildings. Due to limited financial resources, they now focus on supporting local owners, charities, and community groups.
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council is a local government authority responsible for implementing policy in a way that is open, cost-effective, and in the best interests of Hampshire and its residents. One of their key aims is enabling local communities to enjoy a rich and diverse environment by protecting the county’s natural environment, heritage, natural resources, and countryside access.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a charity dedicated to creating a better future for wildlife and wild places across its two counties, and a member of the UK’s Wildlife Trusts movement. We manage over 50 nature reserves, work with partners to protect and connect wildlife sites, and inspire local communities to care for nature.
Natural England
Natural England is a public body that advises the government on the natural environment in England. Their purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment, and in doing so contribute to sustainable development. Their priorities include nature-based solutions and the establishment of a Nature Recovery Network across land, water, and sea.
NFU Watercress Association
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is the largest representation body for agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales. Its Watercress Association was formed to protect the interests of the industry, promote its products, and work towards a sustainable future for watercress growers. This involves working with regulatory authorities to improve the environment in which they farm and the surrounding area.
South Downs National Park Authority
The South Downs National Park Authority is a government-funded public body responsible for managing the landscape of the South Downs. Its purposes are to foster social and economic wellbeing in local communities, to promote understanding and enjoyment of the National Park by the public, and to conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
Southern Water
Southern Water is a private utility company that provides water and wastewater services across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. They aim to enhance health and wellbeing, protect and improve the environment, and sustain the economy, providing water for life and creating a resilient water future for their customers.
Test and Itchen Association
The Test and Itchen Association is a membership organisation dedicated to conserving and protecting Hampshire’s chalk streams. They currently have around 500 members comprising river owners, river keepers, and those who value the streams for their world-class fishing or environmental treasures. They work closely with a range of partners to promote and protect the interests of their members.
Test Valley Borough Council
Test Valley Borough Council is a local government authority that is committed to achieving excellence and improving the lives of local people. They strive to put residents and communities at the heart of decision-making, and count the enhancement and preservation of the natural environment among their primary aims.
Vitacress
Vitacress is one of Europe’s leading growers and packers of watercress, leafy salads, fresh herbs, and vegetables. Sustainability is one of their core values, and they have a longstanding commitment to actively improving the environments in which they operate. In 2006 they established the Vitacress Conservation Trust to further care for the chalk stream habitats within their growing sites.
Wessex Rivers Trust
Wessex Rivers Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to the conservation of chalk streams in Wessex and working towards healthy rivers for wildlife and people. They look at ways to improve local rivers for wildlife and work within catchment partnerships to help achieve their aims. The organisation also benefits from membership of the UK’s broader Rivers Trust movement.
WildFish
WildFish (previously Salmon & Trout Conservation) is the UK’s only independent charity campaigning for wild fish and their environment. They aim to achieve healthier wild fish stocks, improved biodiversity, and less pollution in UK waters. In pursuit of this, they work to influence government policy, industrial practice, and individual behaviour to achieve measurable improvements to the state of the water environment.
Wild Trout Trust
Wild Trout Trust is a conservation charity focused on improving river and lake habitats for trout (a key indicator of environmental health) across the UK and Ireland. They frequently work with partners, providing specialist advice, project delivery, and skills development. Their approach is based on science, refined by practical experience, and supported by a network of expert advisors.