Wetlands conservation and management

Conservation

Wetlands conservation and management is an activity that the very vast majority of wildfowling clubs are involved with, and are justifiably proud of their accomplishments. Work by these clubs all around the country benefits both wildfowler and public alike as the coastal (and often inland) wetlands are maintained and enhanced. S.W.A.W.M.A. is no different, operating numerous important conservation projects in and around Chichester Harbour over the 50+ years of its existence.

Considerable work is done in conjunction with the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, local landowners and Friends groups in the area to ensure that the harbour is maintained as an area of outstanding natural beauty and a nationally important site for both flora and fauna.

Over the years, S.W.A.W.M.A. has won numerous conservation awards for its work in the harbour: the Laurent Perrier Award was achieved twice, as was the West Sussex Award for Conservation. S.W.A.W.M.A. is also a Daily Telegraph Conservation Award winner, and has been recognised twice by BASC with the Stanley Duncan Award.

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A full list of previous and existing work

STANSTED PONDS The Earl of Bessbrough's estate north of Westbourne. A completed project to restore this copiously over-grown wetland to its former state
PETER POND Adjacent to the northern side of the A259 on the Hampshire/ Sussex border. This pond is noted for a species of South American tubeworm which probably arrived via a boat hull.
ALDSWORTH A seasonal waterbody drying up between September and December for a varying amount of time dependent on the degree of rainfall. A Daily Telegraph Conservation Award winner.
FISHBOURNE NEW POND In the grounds of a private house. Now restored and a valuable local wetland habitat.
FISHBOURNE MILL POND A pond popular with local residents because of its large population of ducks and other water birds. This area has been under continuous CHWA management for over forty years.
FISHBOURNE REED BED The only area in West Sussex where there is a natural progression from fresh to salt marsh, with a Phragmites reed bed, this is managed on a seven year cutting rotation in conjunction with EN guidelines.
MIDHURST SOUTH POND Cleaning and restoring in conjunction with local residents
COBNOR HORSE POND Existing flight pond, completely restored and reinstated to former glory.
COBNOR NEW POND Completely new pond created by excavation and puddling of clay to form a pond fed by existing land drains. Now an extremely important wetland area.
WEST ASHLING POND Cleaning and restoring in conjunction with local residents.
SINGLETON WEALD AND DOWNLAND MUSEUM Restoration of a neglected pond to its former glory in conjunction with the museum management.
GODALMING TOWN PONDS Conservation advice to local residents, and renovation of reed bed by S.W.A.W.M.A..
WICK FISHING LAKES Conservation advice and vermin control. In addition, S.W.A.W.M.A. were used as consultants for developing an ongoing management plan.
CHIDHAM SEAWALL Reinstatement of derelict dry-stone seawall and public footpath in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy
STAKES ISLAND (NUTBOURNE NATURE RESERVE LNR) Raising the shingle island to encourage development of a Little Tern colony, in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy and English Nature.
SLIPPER MILL PONDRebuilding and shoring the banking alongside Slipper Mill Road in conjunction with the Friends of Slipper Mill Pond
APULDRAM SEA WALL Rebuilding the sea wall in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy
WEST ITCHENOR COASTAL PATH Planting a screen of 500+ broad-leaf trees as part of the development of the Chichester Harbour coastal path.

Conservation

A full list of previous and existing work

STANSTED PONDS The Earl of Bessbrough's estate north of Westbourne. A completed project to restore this copiously over-grown wetland to its former state

PETER POND Adjacent to the northern side of the A259 on the Hampshire/ Sussex border. This pond is noted for a species of South American tubeworm which probably arrived via a boat hull.

ALDSWORTH A seasonal waterbody drying up between September and December for a varying amount of time dependent on the degree of rainfall. A Daily Telegraph Conservation Award winner.

FISHBOURNE NEW POND In the grounds of a private house. Now restored and a valuable local wetland habitat.

FISHBOURNE MILL POND A pond popular with local residents because of its large population of ducks and other water birds. This area has been under continuous CHWA management for over forty years.

FISHBOURNE REED BED The only area in West Sussex where there is a natural progression from fresh to salt marsh, with a Phragmites reed bed, this is managed on a seven year cutting rotation in conjunction with EN guidelines.

MIDHURST SOUTH POND Cleaning and restoring in conjunction with local residents

COBNOR HORSE POND Existing flight pond, completely restored and reinstated to former glory.

COBNOR NEW POND Completely new pond created by excavation and puddling of clay to form a pond fed by existing land drains. Now an extremely important wetland area.

WEST ASHLING POND Cleaning and restoring in conjunction with local residents.

SINGLETON WEALD AND DOWNLAND MUSEUM Restoration of a neglected pond to its former glory in conjunction with the museum management.

GODALMING TOWN PONDS Conservation advice to local residents, and renovation of reed bed by S.W.A.W.M.A..

WICK FISHING LAKES Conservation advice and vermin control. In addition, S.W.A.W.M.A. were used as consultants for developing an ongoing management plan.

CHIDHAM SEAWALL Reinstatement of derelict dry-stone seawall and public footpath in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy

STAKES ISLAND (NUTBOURNE NATURE RESERVE LNR) Raising the shingle island to encourage development of a Little Tern colony, in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy and English Nature.

SLIPPER MILL PONDRebuilding and shoring the banking alongside Slipper Mill Road in conjunction with the Friends of Slipper Mill Pond

APULDRAM SEA WALL Rebuilding the sea wall in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy

WEST ITCHENOR COASTAL PATH Planting a screen of 500+ broad-leaf trees as part of the development of the Chichester Harbour coastal path.