PROJECT PARTNERS
Born from meetings of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership (ESCP), Recovering the Deben: from Source to Sea is a collaborative effort between numerous organisations including representation from farming communities, NGOs, a water company, and statutory bodies. Each organisation brings new expertise and a new perspective. This project would not be possible without collaboration and aims to help further engagement between partner organisations and users of the catchment. Find out more about each of our partner organisations below and click their logos to be taken to their websites.
The East Suffolk Catchment Partnership
The East Suffolk Catchment Partnership (ESCP), hosted by the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust and supported by the Environment Agency, is an inclusive, civil society-led initiative that works in partnership with Government, Local Authorities, Water Companies, businesses and more, to maximise the natural value of our environment.
Upper Deben Farm Cluster
The Upper Deben Farm Cluster was created with the aim of collaborating with local farmers to provide landscape scale nature recovery. This farm cluster are focusing on water quality improvements on the river Deben and also upskilling their members and improving bio-diversity in Suffolk.
River Deben Association
The River Deben Association was formed in 1990 as a strong local interest group to represent all parties concerned with the future of The River Deben and its environs. The aim stated in its Constitution is to protect and conserve the character, beauty and environment of the River Deben.
Deben Estuary Partnership
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The Deben Estuary Partnership (DEP) was formed in 2008 with the support of the Environment Agency to bring together local interests on flood risk management and of other estuarine matters. The DEP is a valuable representative for the voices of those living on the expansive and beautiful Deben Estuary, ensuring those living closest to the sea within the area of this project are not overlooked, as well as delivering expertise on the specifics of the estuary.
Deben Climate Centre
The Deben Climate Centre is an expanding coalition of residents, academics, local community groups, charities and organisations putting collaboration and community building at the centre of a climate action plan. The Deben Climate Centre is for the community, by the community!
Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust
The Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust (ESRT) are a charity dedicated to the conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and improvement of watercourses in Suffolk and Essex. The ESRT are the hosts of the ESCP and have taken a lead in the organisation of the Recovering the Deben from Source to Sea project, coordinating the actions of group members.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is the county's nature charity – the only organisation dedicated wholly to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside. The Trust has led local nature conservation efforts in Suffolk for six decades and has saved some of the county's most important wildlife sites as nature reserves. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust is a key partner. As a land-owning NGO with a large amount of expertise behind them, they have the resources to help execute on the ground action and support smaller organisations.
Anglian Water
Anglian Water supply the water of 4.3 million homes in the UK, including across much of Suffolk. They are a major funder of water based environmental projects across the region, as well as being an important advisor. The Recovering the Deben from Source to Sea project must ensure a recovered River Deben for both the environment and people and having Anglian Water on board with the project ensures the efforts of wildlife conservation, water extraction and sewage treatment and discharge complement, rather than conflict with each other.
Suffolk FWAG
The Suffolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (SFWAG) provide expert advice and tailored services to restore, protect, and create healthy farming systems through environmental & natural capital protection, resource management and improved efficiency. As an organisation with membership of over 200 farmers and landowners in the targeted area, they are an important mediator between the project working group and the agricultural sector. However, SFWAG are not just ‘representing agriculture’ in this collaboration but actively work with members to develop tools and services carefully designed to fit the project.
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is an executive non-departmental public body. Their role is to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development. As members of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership, they have attended project meetings to provide data and expert advice, particularly regarding the Deben’s reasons for not achieving good (RNAG) status under the Water Framework Directive.
Natural England
Natural England is a statutory body whose remit is to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. These goals highly align to those of this project and the expertise of Natural England is invaluable to the continued success and governance of Recovering the Deben: from Source to Sea.
Suffolk Coasts and Heaths National Lansdscape
The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape (formerly known as the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) stretches from Kessingland in North Suffolk, down to the Stour Estuary in North Essex. Our mission is to protect and regenerate these special landscapes and to make sure everyone can enjoy them. The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape was designated in 1970 and is cared for by a Partnership, a team, and the thousands of people who live in, work in and visit it. The Deben is an important river within the National Landscape and we value supporting this project to help improve it.
Debenham Green Team
The Debenham Green Team is a recently formed community group whose aim is reduce environmental impact, build resilience for a future with less cheap energy and a changing climate and to strengthen the local economy. They aim to work for the benefit of the whole community, raising awareness of climate issues and how individuals in the community can make small simple changes to help.