Our ecological management

The challenge we face

The UK is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. But our canals and rivers and their surroundings provide vital habitats and food sources for iconic wildlife, like kingfishers and water voles. From cities and towns to the open countryside, approximately half of our network is for designated wildlife.

Our canals and rivers are home to important habitats, protected species and everyday animals and plants. They are critical for the survival and recovery of our nation’s threatened wildlife.

The work we’re doing

It’s not enough for our canals and rivers to simply exist. We need to do more to ensure nature recovers.

From building homes for water voles to removing plastics and invasive plants from our waters, we’re working hard to help nature thrive.

Understanding our canals and rivers

We’ve mapped out our 2,000-mile network to get a broader understanding of its variety of habitats and ecology. This work has provided insights that allow us to create opportunities with partners to improve biodiversity and inform nature recovery projects across England and Wales.

We’re working with local authorities to ensure our canals and rivers are an integral part of local nature recovery strategies and to engage in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and other nature markets.

What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a way of creating and improving natural habitats. BNG makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity compared to what was there before development.

What does this mean for us?

In order to meet the requirements of statutory BNG, developments where the site boundary includes land within 10 metres of a canal or river should undertake an assessment of the watercourse’s ecological condition as part of the BNG baseline assessment. Where the proposed development will result in a negative impact on the watercourse or its riparian zone, a net gain in watercourse biodiversity units is required.

Local Planning Authorities or developers interested in opportunities to deliver BNG on Trust land should contact: [email protected]

Local Planning Authorities or developers seeking planning advice from the Trust should contact: [email protected]