Since its launch, the project has moved from concept to active collaboration.
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.
Since November 2025, 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.
