National Award for ‘Bringing Back the River Bulbourne’

A partnership project between the Environment Agency and the Box Moor Trust in Hemel Hempstead has been recognized with a national award.

The project has transformed a 1 kilometer stretch of the River Bulbourne in Hemel Hempstead from a straight, wide and silty river into a meandering chalk stream, which is a globally rare habitat.

The ‘Bringing Back the Bulbourne’ project scooped the ‘best medium scale’ award at The Wild Trout Trust Conservation Awards held at the Savile Club in London.

The awards seek to recognize and encourage excellence in habitat management and conservation and celebrate effort, ingenuity and imagination.

Nancy Baume from the Environment Agency said: “We are delighted that our work to restore the River Bulbourne has been recognized by the Wild Trout Trust. This project represents years of hard work for us and our partners.”

“The Environment Agency is committed to working with partners to protect and restore our chalk streams for the benefit of wildlife so future generations are able to enjoy these unique resources.”

The £60,000 project has breathed new life into the river. The natural meander of the river has now been restored, creating new habitats for plants and wildlife.