Blicking Estate Restoration Project Transforms River Bure, Creating Habitats and Protecting Wildlife

Conservation Effort Enhances Chalk Stream’s Resilience to Climate Change
Blicking Estate Restoration Project Transforms River Bure, Creating Habitats and Protecting Wildlife
Environmental

A six-mile stretch of chalk stream on the Blicking Estate in Norfolk has been revitalised through a comprehensive conservation project aimed at increasing its resilience to climate change. The project, which began in 2018, focused on returning a section of the river Bure to a more natural course, with several ecological benefits resulting from the restoration efforts.

Chalk streams, a rare freshwater habitat found predominantly in England, are one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, with only 220 known examples globally. To help counteract the impacts of climate change, the restoration project introduced various interventions, such as using fallen trees and large branches to re-shape an over-straightened section of the stream. This process has slowed the flow of the river, reducing flood risks during heavy rainfall events.

Additionally, the narrowing of the stream has created varied flow speeds, improving the water’s oxygenation and cleaning the riverbed’s gravel and pebbles. These changes support juvenile fish and invertebrates, including species like dragonfly and mayfly larvae, which thrive in cleaner, well-oxygenated waters.

Invasive species, particularly Himalayan Balsam, were removed, and over 22,000 trees have been planted around the river to slow water runoff. These trees—such as alder, silver birch, hazel, and black poplar—also provide corridors for wildlife, including owls, woodpeckers, and bats. The selection of tree species was made with Norfolk’s changing climate in mind, ensuring the woodland can thrive despite warming and drying conditions in the region.

Emily Long, Project Manager for Riverlands at the National Trust, explained that the Bure now has a “whole new lease of life,” offering cleaner water, reduced flood peaks, and a more diverse environment for the species that rely on the habitat. The project, part of the Riverlands programme in collaboration with the Environment Agency and the Norfolk Rivers Trust, also created new ponds and wetlands to support local wildlife.

Looking ahead, the National Trust plans to focus on further improving water quality by collaborating with farmers and continuing its efforts to create a healthy, clean, and wildlife-rich river catchment. This conservation initiative not only benefits the local ecosystem but also contributes to tackling broader environmental challenges such as water management, flood prevention, and carbon sequestration.