Water for Wildlife: Water Voles in the White Peak

A three phase project to expand/protect water vole in the White Peak Natural Area, over 200km of watercourse through

1. A survey of the Dove catchment, to provide baseline data and prioritise areas for second phase practical habitat management works and sample sites in Derwent to monitor the impact of habitat improvements and mink control.

2. Three year programme of mink control.

3. Habitat management/creation. To increase areas of suitable habitat, through a programme of 10 management/creation projects in Years 1&2, including ponds creation, enhancing current wetland areas, coppicing regimes and Himalayan balsam removal. A minimum of 5 further projects will be developed in Years 2&3 following survey work on the Dove.

Work will take place on two ‘sites’ the Derwent catchment and the Dove catchment