Catchment Partnership Newsletter: July 2020 - Project Updates, Plastic Pollution, & Behind-the-Scenes Activity.pdf

## Catchment Partnership Newsletter Summary - July 2020

This newsletter highlights various initiatives and updates from the Catchment Partnership. Despite lockdown challenges, progress is being made on several projects:

Water Resources Project:

Focus on soil health, domestic and agricultural water use, and providing accessible resources for catchment residents.
Cover crops are being used to protect soils and water, demonstrating their benefits in improving soil structure, reducing erosion, and aiding nutrient retention.
Tips for successful cover crop implementation are provided.

Plastic Pollution Reduction:

Emphasizes continuing efforts beyond Plastic Free Month.
Promotes four key actions: reject top four plastics (bags, bottles, coffee cups, straws), invest in reusable products, consider microfibre release from clothing, and participate in a survey on plastic pollution experiences.
A new research project explores the effectiveness of devices designed to reduce microfibre release during laundry.

Preventing Plastic Pollution:

Launch of a dedicated website for a new Interreg France Channel England project aimed at identifying and mitigating plastic hotspots in seven pilot sites.
The website offers data, reports, events, activities, and resources to engage the public in preventing plastic pollution.

Insect Conservation:

A report by The Wildlife Trusts highlights actions to reverse insect decline, including habitat creation, pesticide reduction, and promoting healthy soils.
Case studies focus on working wetlands, pesticide amnesty programs, and pollinator habitat development.

Wetland Birds:

* New research from northern Italy emphasizes the importance of appropriate management and increased ecological connectivity for wetland specialist birds.