Ecosystem restoration
Saltmarsh Project
Exploring saltmarshes along the Dart Estuary, sharing river knowledge, finding paths to understanding and action for communities of interest.
How can we help to protect this vital ecosystem and carbon store?
You might be surprised to hear that outside the Tropics saltmarshes bury carbon at a greater rate and store more carbon per unit area below ground than their forest counterparts on land.
They absorb tidal and wave energy and help prevent flooding. They regulate water quality by absorbing excess phosphates and nitrates in river water as well as salt from the incoming tides. They are important places for wading birds to breed, spend the winter and stop off during migration.
Muddy, grey and brown, the Dart’s pockets of saltmarsh often go unnoticed. Best seen from a kayak, these fragile ecosystems found along the more sheltered sides of the estuary are not easy to visit, or care for.
Join our saltmarsh restoration
Keep updated on saltmarsh restoration in the Dart. Add your name to this waitlist and you'll be the first to know when BLC hosts any new saltmarsh events.
Ecological restoration in action
The Saltmarsh Project is ongoing. Restoration techniques are being trialled along a string of saltmarshes from Longmarsh to Sharpham Point. The aim is twofold: to help saltmarshes maintain their own natural processes and ecological function, and to produce a range of ways for nearby communities to appreciate their value. Volunteers have helped make bundles of locally coppiced willow and hazel, tied together with sisal and staked into the mud across gullies. This slows the flow of the tidal waters, helping to build up sediment over time, establishing the conditions that support the saltmarshes to flourish. The Project is formed of 13 partners and is funded by the Environment Agency.
Art meets ecology
A unique aspect of this conservation work is its intentional integration of art and science. The Project invited a diverse group of local artists, The Saltmarsh Artist Collective, to create interpretive works inspired by their personal experiences of the saltmarshes. These include Ivan Grieve's mixed-media explorations, Christian de Sousa's soundscapes, and Clare Parker's tidal dance film "Flux". Paired up with team members, artists and ecologists alike share their roles and accomplishments at celebratory events hosted by BLC.
Community engagement and future vision
The Project has creatively involved local communities through talks, boat trips, events, and volunteer opportunities. An early poll of 84 Dart residents indicated strong support for actions such as interpretive signage (78.5%), media resources (72.5%), and guided marsh encounters (71.2%), which the team is successfully delivering.
Looking ahead, a development pathway for restoring ecosystems is via the Estuaries Management Plan: assessing other saltmarshes in the bioregion (Yealm, Avon, Kingsbridge/Salcombe, Erme), on-going monitoring on the Dart, trialling additional restoration efforts. BLC is focusing on a strategic plan based on a wider estuary context to include multiple habitats and communities, expanding the Project framing; ‘Develop Models’, 'Restore Ecosystems’ and ‘Link in Communities’.
"Every part of a river, like every part of our body, has a role to play in keeping us healthy. And as with the human body, what we put into it finds its way downstream, washes up on shore and then out to the sea."
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Our journey for restoration
Ongoing
Jan 2025
Estuary-wide alliance
Formalised collaboration between BLC, Dart Harbour, South Devon National Landscape, and Duchy of Cornwall. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology joined to model sea-level rise resilience strategies.
Ongoing
Jun 2024
Shovels meet soil
Active restoration launched at priority sites like Fleet Mill Creek, using natural floodplain reconnection techniques. Volunteer programs established for vegetation monitoring and erosion control.
Ongoing
Mar 2024
84 voices shape the future
Resident survey revealed top priorities: interpretive signage (78.5% support), Dart Charter advocacy (73.8%), and guided marsh encounters. Insights directly informed Phase 3 public programming.
Ongoing
Feb 2024
Art illuminates ecology
Artist Collective launched 5 multimedia works – including Ivan Grieve’s mixed-media explorations and Clare Parker’s tidal dance film Flux – blending science with creative storytelling to engage new audiences.
Ongoing
Nov 2023
Saltmarsh as climate ally
Featured at Sustainable South Hams’ Rivers Assembly, highlighting saltmarshes’ carbon sequestration power. BLC’s River Dart Charter recognised as a catalyst for catchment-scale collaboration.
Ongoing
Jun 2023
Science meets local knowledge
Comprehensive surveys completed across 8 saltmarsh sites (e.g., Long Marsh, Home Reach). Devon Biodiversity Records Centre integrated historical maps + drone imagery to track habitat loss since 1843, informing Phase 3 targets.
Ongoing
Mar 2023
Saltmarsh wisdom shared
Sold-out event featuring ecologists Nigel Mortimer, Dr. Sarah Collins, and artist Mike Langman. Discussions bridged bird ecology, mudflat ecosystems, and community-led stewardship, with Sharpham Trust presenting hay meadow restoration synergies.
Ongoing
Jan 2023
Foundations for collaborative restoration
Phase 1 initiated with community co-design workshops, uniting landowners, scientists, and Dart residents to shape restoration priorities. Early focus on hydrological surveys and stakeholder mapping to identify key intervention sites.
A learning journey at the crossroads of art and ecology
Let the voices of ecology experts and local artists guide you on an exploration of these precious and fragile ecosystems; saltmarsh-inspired artistic expression + environmental stewardship that offer insights into our restoration approach. Watch the five pieces created by The Saltmarsh Project Artist Collective… very personal explorations of these special places.
Expert Panel: Living Dart and Saltmarsh Conservation
Recorded discussion featuring Nigel Mortimer, Dr. Sarah Collins, and Mike Langman on the importance of the Dart's saltmarshes.
Expert Panel: Living Dart and Saltmarsh Conservation
Recorded discussion featuring Nigel Mortimer, Dr. Sarah Collins, and Mike Langman on the importance of the Dart's saltmarshes.
Flux
Artists Clare Parker & Jade Willows (2024)5-minute dance film with audio
Flux
Artists Clare Parker & Jade Willows (2024)5-minute dance film with audio
Systems + Flow
SYSTEMS: How can appreciating the Dart’s unique ecosystem help us learn about climate resilience?
FLOW: How does local dance artist and producer Clare Parker draw inspiration from such a vulnerable and yet resilient place to inspire her work?
Systems + Flow
SYSTEMS: How can appreciating the Dart’s unique ecosystem help us learn about climate resilience?
FLOW: How does local dance artist and producer Clare Parker draw inspiration from such a vulnerable and yet resilient place to inspire her work?
Tidemark
Artist Beth Heaney (2024)5-minute visual art film with voiceover
Tidemark
Artist Beth Heaney (2024)5-minute visual art film with voiceover
Lines + Data
LINES: How do regular visits to the saltmarsh help local arts practitioner Beth Heaney to build a picture of the life of the saltmarshes?
DATA: How does a coastal specialist use all the information gathered so far–what is the deliverable for this phase of the project?
Lines + Data
LINES: How do regular visits to the saltmarsh help local arts practitioner Beth Heaney to build a picture of the life of the saltmarshes?
DATA: How does a coastal specialist use all the information gathered so far–what is the deliverable for this phase of the project?
Where the Rivers Meet the Sea
Artist Christian de Sousa (2024)5-minute sound art piece–an extract from a 30-minute DJ mix
Where the Rivers Meet the Sea
Artist Christian de Sousa (2024)5-minute sound art piece–an extract from a 30-minute DJ mix
Ecology + Music
ECOLOGY: What does an ecological scientist look for when evaluating the condition of the Dart’s saltmarshes?
MUSIC: How does local artist DJ and photographer Christian de Sousa draw inspiration from such an unusual place to inspire his work?
Ecology + Music
ECOLOGY: What does an ecological scientist look for when evaluating the condition of the Dart’s saltmarshes?
MUSIC: How does local artist DJ and photographer Christian de Sousa draw inspiration from such an unusual place to inspire his work?
A Marshy Place
Artist Ivan Grieve (2024)2-minute collection of 2D mixed media works
A Marshy Place
Artist Ivan Grieve (2024)2-minute collection of 2D mixed media works
Land + Place
NEAR: How is it possible to see the saltmarshes from the air in order to show how much saltmarsh there used to be, and how much there could be?
FAR: How does local generative artist Emilio Mula use creative technology to reveal what’s hidden in the saltmarshes?
Land + Place
NEAR: How is it possible to see the saltmarshes from the air in order to show how much saltmarsh there used to be, and how much there could be?
FAR: How does local generative artist Emilio Mula use creative technology to reveal what’s hidden in the saltmarshes?
Synesthesia
Artist Emilio Mula (2024)4-minute visual generative art film/audio
Synesthesia
Artist Emilio Mula (2024)4-minute visual generative art film/audio
Near + Far
NEAR: How is it possible to see the saltmarshes from the air in order to show how much saltmarsh there used to be, and how much there could be?
FAR: How does local generative artist Emilio Mula use creative technology to reveal what’s hidden in the saltmarshes?
Near + Far
NEAR: How is it possible to see the saltmarshes from the air in order to show how much saltmarsh there used to be, and how much there could be?
FAR: How does local generative artist Emilio Mula use creative technology to reveal what’s hidden in the saltmarshes?
Saltmarsh Project Launch News Release
Official announcement detailing the project's inception, partners, and initial goals.
Summer of Saltmarsh 2024 Events Guide
Comprehensive leaflet outlining upcoming events and educational opportunities related to saltmarsh conservation.
Protecting Local Saltmarsh: A Stakeholder's Manual
Devon Wildlife Trust's comprehensive guide for individuals and organizations involved in saltmarsh preservation.
