BA Better World Community Fund – Planet has provided £25,000 of match funding
Sharpham Valley Wetland Restoration
Devon, United Kingdom
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Aim
Restoring wetland at Lower Sharpham Farm via leaky dams, pond restoration & boardwalk - boosting biodiversity & flood resilience
Wetlands are among the UK's most valuable habitats for biodiversity, yet extensive drainage and land-use change have caused widespread loss and degradation.
Along the River Dart, wetland habitats are now scarce, and at Lower Sharpham Farm, ponds and wet pasture areas have disappeared, threatening the survival of native amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, birds and mammals. In addition, wetland loss increases the landscape’s vulnerability to extreme weather and climate change.
Project
Creating over one acre of new wetland habitat in the Lower Sharpham Farm. The main activities are:
- Construction of ten leaky dams to slow water flow, increase water retention, trap sediment and create shallow pools and wetland microhabitats.
- Restoration of a historic 18th century pond to create a new freshwater habitat for wetland wildlife to breed, feed and shelter on.
- Creation of wet pasture and wet meadow areas to spread water across the valley floor and support native biodiversity.
- Installation of a 120-metre boardwalk and pond-dipping platform for the local community to enjoy access to the wetland.
Impact
This project will improve climate resilience and natural flood management in the area. Playing a crucial role in educating, training and engaging a range of audiences (landowners, trainees, volunteers, interest groups and the general public) on the importance of wetland habitats.
This project is supported by Devon Environment Foundation, a branch of the Conservation Collective – a charity registered in England & Wales with number 1185925. By contributing to this project, you are making a donation to Conservation Collective, and the funds will be restricted for this purpose.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 3rd November 2026 at 11:39am