Freshwater and Wetlands
Adur River Recovery
The Adur River flows through the heart of the Weald to Waves corridor, where we are proud to support an ambitious plan to restore it to a naturally functioning river system. The Adur River Recovery Project is a landmark initiative to restore the health and resilience of the River Adur, one of Sussex’s most important waterways. With support from Defra’s national Landscape Recovery pilot, the project brings together 27 farms and estates, conservation partners, and local councils to deliver a landscape-scale restoration effort.
The River Adur faces mounting pressures from habitat loss, pollution, species decline, flooding, drought, and sea-level rise. By renaturalising channels and floodplains, reviving wetlands and wildlife, and supporting sustainable farming, the project aims to boost biodiversity, improve water quality, and create a climate-resilient landscape that benefits both people and nature.
Project Aims
Renaturalise river channels and floodplains to slow water, reduce flooding, and mitigate drought.
Revive wetlands, saltmarsh, and wildlife to enhance biodiversity, filter pollution, and store carbon.
Enhance landscapes by planting trees, improving fish passage, and controlling invasive species.
Support sustainable and nature-friendly farming to protect soil health and water quality.
Strengthen climate resilience by reconnecting natural habitats and restoring ecosystem balance.
Upcoming Project
Pondscapes Project
The wildlife ponds of Sussex are biodiversity hotspots, scattered across the county’s countryside, woodlands, commons, and urban edges. From ancient dewponds on the South Downs to newly restored wetland features in nature reserves, these small waterbodies support a rich mosaic of species and play a crucial role in local ecosystems.
The Weald to Waves team is now developing a pond creation and enhancement project to build a connected network of wetland stepping stones across the corridor. These ponds will help species move through the landscape, boost biodiversity, and improve water resilience.
More details coming soon, watch this space!
Collaborative Effort
The success of these projects has been thanks to our amazing partners, who have contributed their expertise and resources to the scheme. Without them, nature recovery on a landscape scale would not be possible.
