Connecting the Culm – bringing our vision to life
Work has been continuing on the Blueprint for the River Culm bringing together residents, community organisations, businesses and statutory authorities to develop a shared vision for the Culm:
“The River Culm will be celebrated as a lifeline that connects people with each other and with nature. Land across the catchment will be managed to protect and enhance the River, whilst sustaining people’s livelihoods. Throughout the seasons and as the climate changes, the River Culm will have space to flow naturally and safely. The water will run clear, wildlife will flourish, and people will easily access and enjoy all of these benefits.”
The River Culm present day with a vision for 2050. Illustration: Richard Carman
Having agreed a set of strategic aims, articulating what needs to happen to realise this vision, we are now working with funders and organisations already investing in the Culm catchment to establish how we can best collaborate to achieve these shared goals.
Meanwhile, storyteller Clare Viner has been bringing the River Culm to life for us through myths, legends and realities. On Monday 24 January you can join her at the Stoke Cannon Inn for an evening of cosy, warm Stories of the Culm, featuring dragons, floods, doves, cider and much more!
The Connecting the Culm project is very much about co-creation, with local communities making a vital contribution to the River Culm’s healthy future. We really appreciate the time and support individuals have been giving to this project, both in helping to shape the Blueprint and with on-the-ground volunteering. Volunteers with Westcountry Rivers Trusts’ CSI initiative have been doing great work taking water samples to help assess the health of the river and its tributaries. In 2021, 95 surveys were carried out across 38 sampling points. The River Culm’s Himalayan Balsam Action Group has also been doing sterling work, organising surveys, balsam bashing and running social events.
The Connecting the Culm team is well underway with plans for this year’s events and activities; We’ll update you on the next phase of the project very soon.
If you’d like to get news and updates from the Connecting the Culm project directly you can subscribe to the project’s newsletter via the Connecting the Culm website.
