About us Partners Partners We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow Our partnerships with organisations throughout the South West are an important factor in the work we achieve and the projects we deliver. Together, we are working on valuable initiatives; for example, Upstream Thinking is a fantastic project funded by South West Water, which we are delivering alongside other environmental charities. In partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Moor than meets the eye Landscape Partnership project has enabled us to vastly improve the access around Fernworthy Reservoir – in particular, the surface and accessibility of the much loved Potters Walk – a scenic wheelchair and buggy accessible route. The Discover Wistlandpound Project (DWP) is a joint project between South West Lakes Trust, The Calvert Trust Exmoor and Forestry Commission Enterprises, which has funded two wheelchair and pushchair accessible paths. Enabling people of all abilities to engage with the outdoors, this is a fantastic example of three organisations collaborating for the benefit of the environment and public. Invasive Species We are working in partnership with South West Water to help protect our lakes from the impacts of invasive non-native species. Click here to read more about invasive non-native species and biosecurity at the lakes. Invasive non-native species cause detrimental impacts to the environment, can have an impact on activities and some even have human health implications. Our Invasive Species Officer, James Fantom, is working with anglers and visitors to the lakes to encourage everyone to work together to prevent invasive non-native species causing damage to the lakes, and in turn helping to protect the activities we enjoy. Have you heard of the Check, Clean, Dry campaign? One of the aims of the project is to encourage everyone to carry out simple biosecurity measures before and after using the lakes. Help us protect the lakes and the activities we enjoy by following some simple steps to keep your kit, footwear and clothing free of invasive plants and animals. Whenever you leave the lakes, remember to Check, Clean, Dry. Check your equipment, boat and clothing after leaving the water for mud, aquatic animals or plant material. Remove anything you find and leave it at the site. Clean everything thoroughly as soon as you can, paying attention to areas that are damp and hard to access. Use hot water if possible. Dry everything for as long as possible (ideally 48hrs) before using elsewhere as some invasive plants and animals can survive for two weeks in damp conditions. We are delighted to be part of the AQUA biosecurity accreditation scheme. This regional pilot trial offers tiered awards and provides recognition that we are actively conserving the lakes to maximise native aquatic diversity. Find out more about the scheme. Upstream Thinking: a partnership with South West Water Upstream Thinking is a catchment management programme funded by South West Water and delivered across the whole region by a range of partners including South West Lakes, Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts and Westcountry Rivers Trust. Since 2015, we have been working on two very exciting catchment scale conservation projects around College and Argal reservoirs near Penryn and Stithians Lake near Redruth. The projects are being delivered by South West Lakes Trust and Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) and have two main aims: Farm advisors, ecologists and water quality scientists from CWT work with landowners in the catchments to help them improve their practices, with the goal of reducing the run off of harmful chemicals and fertilisers into the reservoirs. Our volunteer groups (led by Environment and Engagement Ranger Jeremy Fielden) visit different sites around the catchments to undertake conservation and habitat management tasks to improve the sites for wildlife. In April 2020, we started a two-year biodiversity project focused around Burrator reservoir on Dartmoor, also part of the Upstream Thinking 3 programme. The aim of this project is to identify and assess the condition of priority habitats and species on the land surrounding Burrator reservoir and provide site management recommendations. Burrator is an important drinking water resource. Protecting this drinking water supply is vitally important and at the core of this project. Our Biodiversity Officer has been engaging local stakeholders, wildlife recorders, contractors and volunteers in the area to assess the potential of these habitats through habitat surveys, and exploring opportunities to enable wildlife to thrive in this multi-use landscape by undertaking species surveys. From 2022, we will be restoring 1,000 hectares of land around Burrator and Venford reservoirs to improve habitats for biodiversity and water quality, ensuring the catchments are resilient to climate change. A landscape level approach to water management and conservation not only makes a real difference to the water quality in the lakes, biodiversity and agricultural sustainability, but also has positive knock-on effects for wildlife, fisheries and the enjoyment of visitors to our sites. Go Stargazing Our Wimbleball team have been working with Go Stargazing by taking part in a number of their training sessions on astronomy, in order to enhance our future Dark Sky events. This forms part of our work with Exmoor National Park's Dark Sky Friendly Business Accreditation scheme. Go Stargazing is a close-knit group of astronomers who aim to generate wide public interest in astronomy by publicising great stargazing locations and events. Find out more on their website. Some of our key delivery partners South West Water Wheal Martyn Trust Dartmoor National Park Authority Exmoor National Park Authority Calvert Trust Exmoor Cornwall Sports Partnership Cornwall Wildlife Trust Devon Wildlife Trust Environment Agency Forestry Commission Natural England Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership Westcountry Rivers Trust