The past
The river course was canalised as early as the 18th century but more radical change followed the Second World War, when over-deepening of the channel led to drying-out and conversion to arable agriculture of much of the surrounding land. Small areas of fenland, belonging to local parishes, survived but their wildlife interest continued to decline. The ending of traditional management practices, the lowering of water tables and consequent dehydration and reduction in water quality, and the inability of many species to recolonise such small, isolated patches of land, all contributed to this decline.
The LOHP
Today, despite these losses, pockets of land around the headwaters of the Little Ouse and Waveney still retain wildlife that is recognised as being of international importance. The Little Ouse Headwaters project was set up by local residents in 2002 to promote the conservation and enjoyment of the fenland habitats and landscapes of the upper valley of the Little Ouse. The project is a registered charity entirely run by volunteers from the local parishes.
Aims
Our long-term aims are:
To re-create and maintain a continuous corridor of wildlife habitat along the headwaters of the Little Ouse by:
improving the wildlife diversity
where appropriate, restoring natural river features
improving water quality
acilitating rural regeneration and land-use diversification
improving recreation, amenity and education value for the community
improving landscape quality and safeguard against flooding
The work
We hope to achieve these aims through the re-creation of some of the valley's fens, wet meadows and river meanders, as well as the maintenance and enhancement of the existing wetland, woodland and heathland. Our policy is to use local contractors and suppliers whenever possible, but much of the practical site management is carried out by volunteers.. We have already started to improve public access to the valley by the creation of new permissive circular walks, and we hope eventually to include cycle and bridle ways. We hope that this will substantially increase the area's potential for low impact tourism. This in turn will bring benefits to the local economy through the provision of farm accommodation and produce outlets, and increased trade for local shops, pubs and historic buildings.
The project in TEN
Our participation in TEN, together with additional funds that we hope to raise over the next two years, will enable us to undertake further restoration projects and purchase land adjacent to the river, as well as creating additional facilities for access, interpretation, and education. Many residents of the villages have fond memories of the river and fens from years ago and many, both young and old, still enjoy the landscape of the valley and its remaining wildlife.
We currently lease most of the sites we manage, but in 2003 we purchased the western end of Blo'Norton Fen SSSI/SAC and named it 'Betty's Fen' after Mrs Betty Williams, the previous owner.
The river course was canalised as early as the 18th century but more radical change followed the Second World War, when over-deepening of the channel led to drying-out and conversion to arable agriculture of much of the surrounding land. Small areas of fenland, belonging to local parishes, survived but their wildlife interest continued to decline. The ending of traditional management practices, the lowering of water tables and consequent dehydration and reduction in water quality, and the inability of many species to recolonise such small, isolated patches of land, all contributed to this decline.
The LOHP
Today, despite these losses, pockets of land around the headwaters of the Little Ouse and Waveney still retain wildlife that is recognised as being of international importance. The Little Ouse Headwaters project was set up by local residents in 2002 to promote the conservation and enjoyment of the fenland habitats and landscapes of the upper valley of the Little Ouse. The project is a registered charity entirely run by volunteers from the local parishes.
Aims
Our long-term aims are:
To re-create and maintain a continuous corridor of wildlife habitat along the headwaters of the Little Ouse by:
The work
We hope to achieve these aims through the re-creation of some of the valley's fens, wet meadows and river meanders, as well as the maintenance and enhancement of the existing wetland, woodland and heathland. Our policy is to use local contractors and suppliers whenever possible, but much of the practical site management is carried out by volunteers.. We have already started to improve public access to the valley by the creation of new permissive circular walks, and we hope eventually to include cycle and bridle ways. We hope that this will substantially increase the area's potential for low impact tourism. This in turn will bring benefits to the local economy through the provision of farm accommodation and produce outlets, and increased trade for local shops, pubs and historic buildings.
The project in TEN
Our participation in TEN, together with additional funds that we hope to raise over the next two years, will enable us to undertake further restoration projects and purchase land adjacent to the river, as well as creating additional facilities for access, interpretation, and education. Many residents of the villages have fond memories of the river and fens from years ago and many, both young and old, still enjoy the landscape of the valley and its remaining wildlife.
We currently lease most of the sites we manage, but in 2003 we purchased the western end of Blo'Norton Fen SSSI/SAC and named it 'Betty's Fen' after Mrs Betty Williams, the previous owner.
United Kingdom
Norfolk and Suffolk
