Early work
Story of Place for NW Plymouth
A collaborative initiative connecting water, people, and place in Northwest Plymouth through community engagement and environmental stewardship.
The Story of Place for NW Plymouth project is a partnership between the Bioregional Learning Centre (BLC) and Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT). This three-year initiative, known as Plymouth River Keepers, aims to foster a deep connection between local communities and their water resources, with a focus on small, often overlooked streams.
Key aspects of the project include:
- Engaging local residents who have intimate knowledge of the area and a passion for nature conservation.
- Addressing the aftermath of a serious pollution incident in the Tamerton stream that decimated the local fish population.
- Developing a "Story of Place" to reveal hidden aspects and true value of the local environment.
- Identifying and collaborating with "network nodes" - individuals and groups already working towards similar goals in the area.
- Establishing a citizen-led water monitoring program across 11 locations in the river catchment.
The project was initiated in 2019 when South West Water provided funding to WRT as an alternative to prosecution for the pollution incident. This arrangement, accepted by the Environment Agency, aims to benefit urban watercourses in Plymouth, particularly in the Northwest area where each neighborhood and waterbody has its distinct character.
