2024 In Review

Alex McKay

2024 Round-Up 
First of all, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and patience over the past year. After a period of maternity leave, we haven’t been able to send out our usual updates, but I’m happy to say that moving forward, you can expect more regular newsletters to keep you informed about all the exciting work we’re doing.
As we reflect on 2024, we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved, thanks to your ongoing support and dedication. Here’s a round-up of the highlights from this year…
 
Growth in Support

We are thrilled to announce that Wessex Rivers Trust has grown significantly in 2024. We now have:
• 98 lifetime supporters, including our founders
• 304 regular supporters
• 3 family supporters
Your continued commitment makes our work possible, and we are deeply grateful for each of you who are helping to protect and restore our rivers.
“Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers who helped make 2024 such a productive year for Wessex Rivers Trust. Your contributions have driven real progress in improving our rivers and engaging communities.”
Dave, CEO
 
The Power of Volunteers

This year, our volunteers have been nothing short of amazing. Together, they’ve donated an incredible 660 hours – that’s almost 27 and a half days! Here’s a look at their contributions:
• 14 education volunteers contributed over 250 hours to support our educational sessions
• 114 volunteer hours were dedicated to controlling invasive non-native species (INNS)
• 296 volunteer hours across two locations, Anton Lakes (168 hours) and Hawk Inn (128 hours)
Your support is invaluable.
 
Engaging Communities and Educating Future Stewards

We reached a total of 5,684 people through our educational programmes. This includes:
• 258 sessions delivered across 41 locations
• Education at 23 different rivers and streams - including the Lukely Brook and the River Medina, on the Isle of Wight for the first time!
• 44 riverfly monitors trained under our Watercress & Winterbournes project
• 18 teachers and outdoor practitioners trained in two dedicated sessions
• 114 Chalk Stream Challenge badges awarded to eager learners
We also connected with 187 children and adults at four community events:
• Fordingbridge Park
• FizzFest
• Brambridge Garden Centre
• Lords Walk, Amesbury
“It has been wonderful giving young people the opportunity to visit their local rivers, create youth-led social action projects and have a positive impact on them.”
Amy, Youth Engagement Officer
 
Tackling Invasive Species
Our work to control invasive non-native species (INNS) has been significant this year:
• INNS were controlled along 14 km of riverbank
• 18 km of riverbank surveyed for INNS
• 317 tubs of invasive plant material removed, equating to 12,680 litres of plant matter!
Protecting Endangered Species
Here are some of our findings:
• 26 water vole burrows, 40 feeding remains, and 5 tracks were spotted – sadly indicating a poorer year for the species
• 1 new white-clawed crayfish population was discovered, a priority species in need of protection
Habitat Restoration and River Improvement
We’ve made huge strides in habitat restoration:
• 400m of brand-new river created
• 14 floodplain restoration targets identified
• 11 capital projects completed, including crucial restoration work
• 4 investigations and design commissions completed
These projects are essential in creating better habitats for wildlife and improving the rivers we love.
“Every metre of healthy river we restore strengthens ecosystems and boosts biodiversity. It’s great to see the positive impact of these efforts, and we’re eager to continue making strides in 2025.”
Mike, Director of Operations

Looking Ahead…
None of this work would be possible without your support. Whether through volunteering, donating, or sharing our message, you are all a vital part of the Wessex Rivers Trust family. As we look towards 2025, we’re excited to build on our progress and continue enhancing the health of our rivers for the benefit of wildlife and people alike.
Sign up to our newsletter for more updates on our work and how you can get involved in the year ahead.