Working with the water sector, Headstart aims to drive nature recovery using the pragmatic, science-driven strategy of starting in the headwaters and working down.
- Headwater stream in Scotland.
Why headwaters?
Though they’re individually small, headwater streams are ubiquitous, and together their catchments cover more than half of England and Wales. Restoring headwater catchments – including their networks of ponds and wetlands – will accelerate nature recovery across the river network and the wider landscape.
Headwater catchments are easier to restore, because their small catchments mean pollution sources are fewer, more identifiable and easier to manage. Restored headwaters will be:
- Sources of resilience – networks of unpolluted headwater habitats can act as refuges for sensitive plants and animals, and a bridgehead for recolonisation of downstream reaches.
- A near-term success story – because they’re small and respond quickly to restoration, significant improvements can be seen within years rather than decades, demonstrating the effectiveness of well-targeted investment.
- Lesser Diving Beetle - © Neil Phillips
What will Headstart achieve?
1 Significant biodiversity gains through cross-catchment creation and restoration of clean water habitats.
2 Persistent improvements in water quality and freshwater ecosystem resilience.
3 Rapid progress towards nature recovery goals.