Conference Proceedings - "WATERFOWL" INFORMATION NETWORK International Conference
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Organisational Overviews: Thames Landscape Strategy Hampton to Kew

Author: Donna Clack, Coordinator

The Thames is one of the most important natural and cultural assets of London and one that we all care about.

The Thames Landscape Strategy was launched in 1994 and is a notable milestone in the journey towards integrated environmental planning and management. The key partners involved in the Strategy are Richmond, Kingston, Elmbridge and Hounslow borough councils, the Environment Agency, English Heritage, the Countryside Agency, English Nature and the Royal Parks Agency.

The Strategy has won several national awards for its work and sets out some 180 projects and management proposals to co-ordinate the interests of nature conservation, historic landscapes and buildings, access, recreation and education. Over 50 projects have already been completed, some of which provide benefits for waterfowl in the area. These include:

• Woodland management work on Eel Pie Island, carried out with the help of local volunteers

• Natural bank restoration opposite Hampton Court Palace.

• Setting up a programme of wildlife advice for local riverside gardeners.

• Production of a leisure cycling guide for the area.

The close involvement of local people is vital to the success of the project and in 1998, over 100 ‘volunteer days’ of work were donated to the Strategy.

Sir David Attenborough is the Patron of the Strategy, which, since its launch, has employed a Co-ordinator to work with the partners, landowners and numerous community organisations to implement individual projects. In April 1999, the Strategy gained a full time Project Assistant thanks to a secondment from Barclays Bank.

Funds for the projects have been secured from a variety of sources including the Heritage Lottery fund, charitable trusts, commercial sponsors, donations and the Strategy partners.

Some of the key projects for 1999 are:

• A nature conservation management plan for Steven’s Eyots, a small island near Kingston.

• Continuation of our programme of wildlife advice for local riverside gardeners.

• Development of a river and landscape master plan for Hurst Park, Elmbridge, by students of

• Kingston University

• Work to Kingston waterfront to improve riverside access for all sections of the community.

Watermark, the Strategy newsletter, is published twice a year and an Open Meeting is held annually to update local people on the Strategy's progress. Subscriptions to Watermark start at £3/annum for individuals.

CONTACT DETAILS

To join or find out more about the Strategy

Tel: 0181 940 0654
E-mail: tls@richmond.gov.uk

You can also visit the Strategy’s web site, which is kindly hosted by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames at
www.richmond.gov.uk/thameslandscape