The Oxfordshire–Buckinghamshire Freshwater Network is a landscape-scale initiative to restore, reconnect, and study small wetland systems—peat-dominated fens, floodplains, wet grasslands, and ponds—to enhance freshwater biodiversity, store carbon, and engage local communities. The project contributes to the wider national Freshwater Network vision: a connected system of restored and newly created freshwater habitats across England.
Despite their rich wetland heritage, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire have seen sharp declines in freshwater biodiversity over the past two decades, driven by drainage, pollution, and scrub encroachment. The project responds to this degradation by restoring and creating high-quality freshwater habitats across eight sites spanning 6,500 ha—ranging from alkaline fen and species-rich wet grassland to historic floodplains.
Highlights
Landscape-scale creation, restoration, and management of freshwater habitats across eight sites extending over 6,500 hectares.
Focus on smaller wetlands and “small waters” (including peat-dominated wetlands, floodplains, wet grasslands) linked to both biodiversity recovery and carbon storage potential.
Natural England access to sites for a 10-year programme measuring carbon storage (soil cores, gas flux analysis), alongside vegetation surveys.
Volunteer engagement including GroWet (growing rare wetland plants for introduction to local wetlands), plus guided walks, talks, and events.
Timeline
2023 - 2025: Project duration
About the intervention
The project worked with landowners, public bodies, and other conservation charities to create, restore, and manage high quality freshwater habitats across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The initial work focused on eight sites (>6,500 ha), including alkaline fens, ponds, historic floodplains, and species-rich wet grassland. The stated intention was to restore sites to a more natural state, increasing the number/extent of clean, unpolluted wetland and freshwater habitats and helping to reverse freshwater biodiversity decline.
Work with landowners, public bodies, and conservation charities centred on creating, restoring, and managing high-quality freshwater habitats. Implementation initially focused on eight sites extending over 6,500 hectares, spanning alkaline fens, ponds, historic floodplains, and species-rich wet grassland. Restoration aimed to return these areas to a more natural condition and increase clean, unpolluted wetland and freshwater habitats, addressing pressures associated with pollution, drainage, and scrub encroachment.
Alongside on-the-ground habitat work, Natural England was given access to carry out research on the habitats’ potential to capture and store carbon. Over a 10-year period, Natural England will measure carbon storage in floodplain wetland mosaics, species rich grassland, and fen sites using soil core and gas flux analysis, alongside vegetation surveys comparing biodiversity changes with carbon sequestration capability.
Community involvement was supported through volunteer programmes, including GroWet (local people helping grow rare wetland plants for introduction to local wetlands), and guided walks, talks, and events connecting people to freshwater wildlife and wetland heritage.
Find more information about the New European Bauhaus here.
New European Bauhaus compass
"1,2,3,2,1,2"
The transformation to the wetland mosaic is a secondary, but impactful, result of hydrological work.
It greatly enhances the scenic beauty and aesthetic value of the area.
The project ensured that marginalized groups were actively included in the planning phases.
Long-term ecological balance and climate resilience were the primary drivers.
Local communities were actively engaged in shaping the final design of the landscape.
Stakeholders from local, regional, and national governments collaborated on funding and execution.
Experts from ecology, urban planning, sociology, and economics worked together closely.
Introduction
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et.
Key stakeholders
Freshwater Habitats Trust
Natural England
Environment Agency
Forestry Commission
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Wakehurst)
Local landowners, conservation charities, and public bodies
Volunteers and local communities in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Financial metrics
Funding sources
UK Government fund (~£ 811,000)
Project is part of the Nature Returns programme which is funded by the Shared Outcomes Fund and co-sponsored by Defra and DESNZ
Budget
Information not available
Outcomes
Environmental
Creation, restoration, and management of freshwater habitats (alkaline fens, ponds, floodplains, wet grasslands) across the project sites.
Increased number/extent of clean, unpolluted wetland and freshwater habitats (as an intended effect), helping to reverse freshwater biodiversity decline.
A 10-year Natural England research programme to improve understanding of carbon capture/storage potential in restored wetland landscapes.
Social
Volunteer programmes including GroWet to grow rare wetland plants for introduction to local wetlands.
Guided walks, talks, and events to connect people with freshwater wildlife and wetland heritage.
Economic
Information not available.
Risks and considerations
Because the project involves habitat creation/restoration and a 10-year monitoring programme, ongoing site management and consistent monitoring effort will be important over time.
The project context includes pollution, drainage, and scrub encroachment as drivers of decline, so restoration efforts may need to account for these continuing pressures.
Carbon sequestration evidence is being generated through a 10-year Natural England monitoring programme, so conclusions will depend on the results as they emerge.
Lessons learned
The project treats small wetlands and “small waters” as meaningful units for freshwater biodiversity recovery and potential carbon storage.
Pairing restoration with long-term carbon measurement and vegetation surveys supports learning about links between biodiversity outcomes and carbon sequestration.
