The story behind The Chalk River Project

We hear lots about the negative impacts on chalk rivers, especially those relating to pollution, but rarely do we hear about the great work that’s being done to improve them. The Chalk River Project was initiated to raise awareness of the decline of chalk rivers and to promote actions and collaborations aimed at their restoration and protection.

What triggered the project?

Oct 2025 – The Chalk River Project was launched as a direct response to the ongoing deterioration of chalk rivers, a problem that has been evident for many years. This decline, driven by a range of environmental and human-induced factors, prompted the need for wider awareness and action.

The project seeks not only to highlight the negative impacts facing these unique ecosystems but also to share the efforts being made by numerous organisations and individuals to halt and reverse their decline.
By drawing attention to both the challenges and the positive interventions, the project aims to engage a broad audience and inspire further support for the restoration and protection of chalk rivers.

What has been done so far?

Initial funding has enabled the Chalk River Project to begin documenting chalk rivers and their conservation on film, engaging a diverse range of partners and experts, and developing a website to share their progress and resources. This is their story.

Nov 2025 to date – Significant steps have already been taken towards achieving the aims of the Chalk River Project.

Funding has been secured for the initial round of filming, which will support the creation of both a documentary and an accompanying website.

Our partners and sponsors initial investment marks a crucial milestone as it enables the project to begin documenting and sharing the story of chalk rivers and the ongoing efforts to safeguard them.

Engagement with organisations and individuals has been a key focus. The team has reached out to a wide array of organisations actively involved in protecting and enhancing chalk river habitats, initiating discussions to foster collaboration. These efforts have led to agreement from several individuals to participate in the documentary as ‘characters’, representing diverse perspectives and experiences. Among these participants are senior members of leading wildlife conservation charities across Hampshire, each bringing their own expertise and insights.

Scientific understanding is also being prioritised, with ongoing investigations into how research is informing both the challenges faced by chalk rivers and the potential solutions. To capture this breadth of knowledge, interviews have been arranged with a variety of contributors: landowners, government regulators, a river restoration practitioner, a photographer, a PhD student, scientists, an artist, and an angler. Each interviewee offers a unique viewpoint, enriching the narrative and demonstrating the collaborative nature of river conservation. The team remains eager to identify and involve more individuals who are passionate about the project and wish to contribute their stories.

In addition to documentary preparations, work has commenced on the project’s website, which will serve as a platform to share progress, resources, and updates on community led projects as the Chalk River Project develops further.

How did the project move from idea to action?

The project was inspired by the people I’ve been fortunate to work with over many years. I wanted to document and celebrate the efforts of passionate individuals protecting our chalk rivers, using storytelling through film and a website to highlight their achievements and inspire a wider conversation and engagement in river conservation. The response so far has been very positive.
Over forty years working on freestone and chalk rivers, I’ve connected with a large number of people and communities committed to protecting our waterways. Their dedication has continually motivated my approach to river conservation.

Vision for Documentation

Inspired by their efforts, I decided to document their achievements through a film documentary and website, aiming to showcase essential work in preserving and reviving chalks rivers, initially focusing on Hampshire.

Storytelling to Inspire Change

By highlighting their experiences—challenges, successes, and hopes for the future—the project aims to emphasise the importance of river conservation and encourage wider involvement.

What are the next steps?

This year’s project activities will involve intensive planning, meetings, and filming across Hampshire, with the documentary aiming for a December release and future expansion planned across southern England in 2027.

Vision for Documentation

2026–2027 – This year promises to be exceptionally busy, with a series of meetings and discussions scheduled with project sponsors and collaborators in the coming weeks and months. The aim is to coordinate diaries and confirm the selection of key filming locations, ensuring all logistical details are finalised for the documentary’s production.

Storyline Development and Project Inclusion

A significant portion of the documentary’s storyline has already been determined, providing a solid foundation for filming. However, there remains a strong desire to include as many new and exciting projects as possible throughout the spring, summer, and autumn months. This approach will allow ample time for editing, ensuring the documentary is ready for its anticipated release in December of this year.

Regional Focus and Future Expansion

The primary focus for this year will centre on the Hampshire region, highlighting the critical conservation work taking place there. Looking ahead, there are already plans to broaden the project’s geographical scope, with an intention to expand coverage to other areas, including freestone rivers, across the south and southwest of England in 2027. The progress and outcomes from this year will inform how this expansion unfolds.

Bob Wellard
Project Coordinator

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Whether you’d like to support the project, discuss a partnership or simply ask a question, we’d love to hear from you.