It seems hard to believe but the Everyone’s Evenlode project is coming to a close after almost four fabulous years.
At a recent celebration (with well-deserved tea, cake, and Eton Mess), we had the opportunity to reflect on the project, and all that’s been achieved through it…
Since the Everyone’s Evenlode Team first formed in November 2021, the team has created and delivered community outreach and educational activities, reaching approximately 11,000 people. This has included: engaging almost 4,000 school pupils with a local stretch of river, introducing well over 2,000 children and young people to catchment based activities and concepts in other settings outside of formal education, and talking to more than 4,500 adults at a multitude of community outreach events. In addition to this, they have helped instruct nearly 50 Geography PGCE trainee teachers in best practice when taking classes to the river.
The team, initially made up of Rowan, Ros, and Ruth; and then later on Rowan, Ros, and Jennifer, created bespoke outreach events with catchment communities, supported under-represented groups and differently abled people to engage with nature, developed a Citizen Science Schools program with four schools dedicated to monthly water quality testing and reporting, and created a digital library resource with the ‘Voices of the River’ podcast and collection of information resources.
At the recent celebration event, the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens were heartily thanked. Their hard work, devotion, and collaboration has been impressive to witness and has driven the project’s success. Indeed, throughout the duration of the project, CNL Wardens have volunteered approximately 1,500 hours of their time, helping people to engage with the River Evenlode catchment. Their contribution cannot be underestimated.
Everyone’s Evenlode has also been a testament to partnership working: Cotswolds National Landscape is part of the Evenlode Catchment Partnership (ECP), which brings together partners and communities to look after their river environment and bring the River Evenlode back to good ecological condition. The project has been funded by Thames Water, as part of their ‘smarter water catchment initiative’. There have been four main work themes, which have been delivered in a collaborative and multi-partnered way:
- Water quality and advocacy (delivered by Earthwatch for ECP)
- Biodiversity, habitat, and landscape (delivered by Wild Oxfordshire for ECP)
- Natural flood management (delivered by Wild Oxfordshire for ECP)
- Education, access and recreation (delivered as Everyone’s Evenlode by Cotswolds National Landscape for ECP)
As the project transitions into its next phase, we are pleased to announce that Rowan has accepted a part-time role in the CNL team as a River Restoration Officer to steer the project ahead over the next two years. Jennifer will conclude her time on the project on 31 July, and hopes to continue her nature recovery work elsewhere.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the project, and huge thanks to all who have taken part – no matter how big or small their participation has been. We hope the ripples of impact made by the team will continue indefinitely, with a living legacy empowering the catchment community and inspiring young minds towards conservation of our precious natural resources.