Dog dips on the Itchen Navigation are the first of their kind to help protect wildlife
13 June 2011
Dedicated river access points for dogs have been installed on the Itchen Navigation by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to help prevent disturbance to wildlife along the river bank. The dog dips are the first of their kind to be installed in the U.K.
The Itchen Navigation is a 10 and a half mile river between Winchester and Southampton which boasts a wonderful riverside footpath and is an important area for wildlife, including water vole, otter, salmon and kingfisher. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is leading a five year project to improve the Itchen Navigation for wildlife and make access to the river easier for local people. In the past, dogs getting in and out of the river have caused vegetation to be trampled, the bank to erode and wildlife such as water voles and nesting birds to be disturbed. Water birds, including ducks, moorhen and coot, make their nests amongst the vegetation at the bank edge. Also water voles nest in burrows in the river banks and rely on the riverside plants for shelter and food.
Two dog dips have been installed in the Shawford area and one near Allbrook. The Wildlife Trust is asking dog owners to encourage their dogs to use the dog dips and leave the rest of the riverbank undisturbed. The dog dips are the first of their kind and if they are successful they may be used at other rivers with public access to reduce disturbance to wildlife.
Ali Morse, Itchen Navigation Project Manager for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “After consulting with dog walkers, we decided that dog dips were needed to give a place for dogs to swim and allow the wildlife along the rest of the river to flourish. We hope the dog dips will reduce bank erosion and make the Navigation an even better place for wildlife.”
The Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Environment Agency and Natural England. The project has recently reached the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards and needs public votes to progress to the finals of the competition. You can vote for Itchen Navigation in the Best Environment Project category of the National Lottery Awards online at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or by calling 0844 836 9698. Voting closes on 20th June 2011.
EndsPhoto opportunity
Dog dip at Shawford on the Itchen Navigation – credit Dennis Bright
For additional images or to arrange photography, please contact:
Polly Whyte, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Itchen Navigation Project Officer, on 01489 774413, email: PollyW@hwt.org.uk; website: www.hwt.org.uk
****Notes to Editors
For further information please contact:
Polly Whyte, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Itchen Navigation Project Officer, on 01489 774413, email: PollyW@hwt.org.uk; website: www.hwt.org.uk
Samantha G, Heritage Lottery Fund Press Office, on: 020 7591 6033, email: samanthag@hlf.org.uk; website: www.hlf.org.uk
Peter Hutchings, Marketing Officer, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, 01489 774400
*****
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust strives to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is the leading wildlife charity in the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is part of a nationwide network of 47 local charities. We work together to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in the UK. With the support of our
28,000 members, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is taking effective action to protect our natural heritage, helping it to flourish again. Find out more at www.hwt.org.uk
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. We have supported more than 15,000 projects, allocating over £3 billion across the UK.
