Severn Trent Water has shown its commitment to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Landscape in the Churnet Valley with an £85,000 donation.
The Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership (CVLLP) was set up to conserve and enhance the area’s unique landscape and heritage for all to enjoy. It is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and managed by local people and organisations who share a vision to ensure a sustainable future for the area.
And the project, which is led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, has now received a further boost thanks to the large donation by Severn Trent Water.
Keith Tomkins said: “This is a real act of faith by Severn Trent Water and shows their support for the long term aims of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership. The money will help to bring many benefits to the River Churnet including improving the water quality for wildlife and it is great to receive support like this.”
The money will be used on wildlife and water quality projects along the River Churnet, which runs through the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership area. Work will include obstruction removal, improving fish passage and river re-profiling.
James Jesic, head of operations at Severn Trent Water, added: “We’re delighted to be able to make this donation, which will be used to improve the water quality in the River Churnet and help the wildlife to grow. We’re very conscious about the impact we can sometimes have on our local environment, which is why protecting it and helping it to recover is very important to us. We look forward to seeing the work the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will do and watching the local wildlife flourish in the coming months and years.”
Although the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership is led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, it is very much a partnership project. There are 20 partners including local authorities, the Environment Agency, the Canal and River Trust, Destination Staffordshire, Lafarge and the RSPB.
Nick Mott (SWT), Keith Tomkins (CVLLP Manager), Sarah Mountford (STW) Julian Woolford (SWT CEO) and David Ralphs (STW) at the presentation of the cheque.