The project will develop a market based catchment restoration scheme which will be based on a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) model and aims to identify both delivery and funding mechanisms to lever private investment for catchment restoration.

Project Results

-Assessing former distribution of wetted land within six river catchments, sub-catchments and local areas (rivers Exe & Axe - Devon, Ouse & Adur - Sussex, Cousenon - Ille et Vilaine and Oust - Morbihan) and several smaller test catchments. -Restoring and managing areas of wetted land and integrating it with economic research studies. -Evaluating the economic costs and benefits of restoring wetted land aimed at five private interest groups (water treatment, flood mitigation, carbon offsetting, biodiversity and catchment food branding). -Dissemination and transferral of knowledge through the project partnership and extension of the project approach through the development of a wider Channel network. -Facilitate funding and working partnerships .between Rivers Trusts and other organisations. -Guide and assist rivers trusts in making funding applications, either individually or in partnership with others. -Build capacity and sustainability in the rivers trust movement. -Form national and international networks to provide collaborative project and development opportunities for rivers trusts. -Guide and support new rivers trust start-ups -Act as a conduit for communication, information exchange and technology transfer through projects, seminars, the web-site and e-newsletters. -Promote, guide and support good governance and issues of common interest to rivers trusts.