Rotary’s area of focus is the environment and what more deserving cause can there be for all of us than to try and secure a habitable planet for the generations already with us and the ones to come? What legacy will we leave?
Now it makes no sense to separate climate change from the unfolding environmental crisis. The two are intimately connected. We need to work towards a sustainable future one that may give us a healthier planet and happier people.
Over recent years, the effects our lifestyle is having on the environment have become more evident. Climate change is an increasing threat to our planet, and action needs to be taken now.
Rotary is helping with this by encouraging members to make changes to their lifestyles, educating their immediate and wider community, supporting projects with the aim of living sustainably for a healthier planet.
Alresford Rotary supports the Alresford Eelhouse
Alresford Rotary donated new benches and signage along the Watercress Way
Alresford Rotary planted thousands of crocuses along The Avenue
Watercress and Winterbournes
The Rivers Arle and Itchen are iconic features of the Hampshire landscape, but the chalk streams that give them life are some of the greatest hidden treasures in the county. Those that only flow during the wet winter months have another name again – winterbournes.
Here in Hampshire their cool, oxygenated, alkaline waters provide a uniquely perfect habitat for species like water vole, brown trout, southern damselfly, water crowfoot, and endangered white-clawed crayfish.
Adjacent fields are marked with patterns from old water meadows, while mysterious riverside structures speak of trades ranging from gin distilling to paper production. Today many of these historic industries continue, with our area being famous for watercress growing and fly fishing.
With support from Alresford Rotary and other partners, Watercress and Winterbournes is building on a bright future. This five-year Landscape Partnership Scheme brings together local communities and organisations to restore and celebrate the Candover Brook, Cheriton Stream, Arle, Itchen and Upper Test River.
If we each make small changes to be greener and cleaner, those changes will again add up to make a healthy, richer happier future. We owe it to ourselves, future children, and our planet.
