Project Dates: 01.01.26 to 31.12.27

This project aims to improve the ecology of the River Dart by protecting threatened saltmarsh through restoring a wall which historically protected saltmarsh, but has now collapsed.

This funding will be used to complete the second half of drystone wall construction to protect the largest area of saltmarsh on the River Dart from erosion – an area that has been recently classified as a Couty Wildlife Site, just in front of Sharpham House – restoring 162.5 metres of stonewall and protecting 7,850 m2 of saltmarsh from erosion.

Saltmarshes are among the UK’s most threatened and least understood habitats. More than 85% of England’s saltmarsh has already been lost, and what remains is under increasing pressure from sea-level rise, historic drainage, and climate change. Yet these ecosystems are extraordinary: they can capture carbon up to 40 times faster than woodland, buffer shorelines from erosion, filter water, and support a rich mosaic of birds, fish, plants, and invertebrates.

A 2024 ecological survey along the River Dart confirmed 10 key saltmarsh plant species, qualifying the site as a County Wildlife Site and revealing the presence of rare coastal specialists such as Distant Sedge, Slender Club-rush, and the Near Threatened Parsley Water-dropwort. Building on this ecological foundation, the Sharpham Trust is launching a major community restoration effort to bring lost saltmarsh back to life and rewet two adjoining valley systems.

This project aims to protect the remaining areas of saltmarsh along the Dart Estuary which are suffering from erosion and reduction in area probably caused by boat wash historically. This phase of funding will complete the rebuilding of dry stonewall begun in 2025 which surrounds and protects one of the larger areas of saltmarsh situated in front of Sharpham House on a bend in the river. A further 85 metres of wall will be rebuilt utilising local stone brought upriver from Dolphin Quarry by barge.

 

Thank you to the BA Better World Community Fund for generously supporting this work on Crowdfunder.

 

Image credits: Dart Harbour Authority