About us
The River Meon Conservation Volunteers (RMCV) was first established in June 2024 to monitor and improve the habitat of the River Meon for native species. Its objectives are to assist riparian landowners and interested parties by:
- Removing invasive species
- Monitoring native species, such as water voles, invertebrates, brown trout, etc
- Monitoring water quality
- Improving and maintaining the chalk stream habitat by improving flow patterns
The group comprises enthusiastic volunteers who make themselves available for tasks along the length of the River Meon from Meon Springs to Titchfield Haven. It is open to all members of the local community over 18 years of age. The RMCV endeavours to find appropriate roles or tasks, irrespective of ability, prior knowledge, skills or community. We have good fun, for example, pulling Himalayan balsam or identifying wildlife living in the river whilst knowing we are contributing to a healthy ecosystem in whatever ways we can.
Why the River Meon?
The River Meon is a rare and valuable chalk stream habitat. There are only about 200 chalk streams globally, of which 85% are found in southern and eastern England. Chalk streams are called England’s equivalent of the Amazon Rainforest or Great Barrier Reef. The River Meon rises near East Meon, Hampshire and flows south-westwards for 34km through the Meon valley before going into the Solent at Titchfield Haven. It is fed by rain water, permeating through the chalk bedrock to underground aquifers and springs. It drops about 120 metres from its source to the sea, which is a steep gradient for a chalk stream. The water should be crystal clear, flowing over gravelly beds, rich in minerals and remain at a fairly constant temperature all year round.
Chalk streams are home to a variety of wildlife, including fish such as brown trout, grayling, Atlantic salmon, bullhead and brook lamprey; invertebrates such as mayflies, dragonflies and damselflies as well as white-clawed crayfish, water voles, kingfishers, water crowfoot and water starwort.
The river drains a small, rural catchment area, dominated by mixed farming and horses with increasingly urban areas at its southern extent. The waters of the river and the chalk aquifer have been important to people for thousands of years.
The River Meon is facing a number of threats including over-abstraction, nutrient enrichment and the intentional and accidental release of non-native species.
The River Meon Conservation Volunteers feel that it is vitally important to preserve and improve this chalk river habitat for the benefit of wildlife and humans alike.
The River Meon Conservation Volunteers are supported by and work in conjunction with South Downs National Park Trust, Winchester City Council, The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, The Meon Valley Partnership, Meon Springs Fishery, The Water Quality Monitoring Network, Portsmouth Services Fly Fishing Association as well as various riparian owners along the length of the river.