Ecosystem restoration
River Charter for the Dart at Dartington
The UK's first River Charter, empowering local communities to protect and advocate for the River Dart's health, biodiversity, and accessibility.
The River Charter for the Dart at Dartington is a groundbreaking initiative that gives voice to the river and its community.
Launched in 2019, this Charter represents the collective vision of over 1,250 participants who want to see the Dart "fish-able, drinkable, swim-able, paddle-able and sustainable" for generations to come.
More than just a document, BLC sees it as the first step in a three-part process towards citizen-led common pool resource management: 1) a charter, 2) riverkeepers who steward the river, and 3) a river council to address arising issues.
The River Charter that we made for the River Dart around the Dartington Estate was a prototype. We involved over 1,200 people in its making, as part of a significant community effort. It has the backing of the South Devon Catchments Partnership and the Environment Agency and aims to be a beacon in a culture of care for water.
We know reaching agreement on how to care for our rivers and streams is not easy! The root of the word ‘rivalry’ comes from the Latin riva for river bank. Rivers seem to generate a good deal of argument. Our Charter seeks to by-pass that by giving rights to running water rather than people.
These are not legal but moral rights. We respect and work with all the many ways in which individuals and organisations care for their rivers. At the same time, the River Charter gives citizens and their communities a new role as stewards whose voices are heard.
This charter isn't just a document; it's a testament to our community's commitment to protecting and cherishing our waterway for generations to come. Being part of this pioneering initiative, co-creating the UK's first River Charter, reinforced my belief in the power of grassroots environmental stewardship.
