Saltmarsh Restoration Project Underway on River Dart

A saltmarsh restoration initiative is currently being implemented along a section of the River Dart in Devon. This £200,000 project aims to rejuvenate approximately 10 acres (4 hectares) of marshland, utilizing over 200 hazel and willow bundles staked into the ground to facilitate sediment accumulation and promote plant growth. Thirteen organizations are collaborating on this endeavor, including the Environment Agency (EA) and the Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority. The EA stated that more than 85% of England’s saltmarsh has been lost over recent centuries due to development and evolving land use, with further areas facing threats from rising sea levels and climate change. Emma Magee, the EA’s South Devon catchment coordinator, remarked: “These places are too important for people and wildlife to let them just slip away. We need people to see and feel a connection to these places to help care for them.” She elaborated that saltmarshes are crucial because they capture carbon, safeguard shorelines from erosion, provide habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife, and contribute to water purification. Downstream of Totnes, work at the “40ft off” and Home Reach marshes is nearing completion. The EA reported that the team has documented new, rare, and protected plant species for the first time, and international saltmarsh experts are offering advice on how to optimize this opportunity. The agency confirmed that efforts to improve footpaths and install signage at Long Marsh, located near Steamer Quay, are scheduled to commence next month and be finalized by March 2025. Funding for this project has been provided by the EA, the Duchy of Cornwall, South Hams District Council, and South Devon National Landscape.