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River Allen Landscape Recovery - Community Survey

Total survey time: 5 minutes

The River Allen Landscape Recovery is a collaborative project funded by DEFRA’s (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) Landscape Recovery pilot scheme. Led by the River Allen CIC, a unique organisation set up by a group of committed landowners on the River Allen, it brings together a partnership of land managers and farmers who want to work together to revitalise this precious river.

We are working closely with landowners, farmers, and key stakeholders to design a comprehensive plan for restoring the River Allen. In 2026, we will submit our plans to DEFRA to apply for 20 years of ELMs (Environmental Land Management schemes) funding to make the project a reality on the ground.

Part of that funding will be allocated to enable local communities, organisations, schools and residents to engage with and celebrate the river. At this stage we would like to know what opportunities you would like to see available if funding is secured.
The River Allen

The River Allen runs through the countryside of East Dorset. The river flows south for 21km from its headwaters near Wimborne St Giles to where it meets the River Stour in Wimborne Minster. The river is recognised as a rare and biodiverse chalk stream, inhabited by species such as brown trout, otters, the rare white-clawed crayfish, Atlantic salmon, and kingfishers.
1.Where do you spend time in nature around Wimborne and the River Allen? (Please select all that apply)(Required.)
2.How often do you spend time in nature? (Please select one)(Required.)
3.What are you preferred activities when spending time in nature? (please select all that apply)(Required.)
4.What factors prevent you from spending more time in nature and outdoor spaces in the Wimborne and River Allen area? (Please select all that apply)(Required.)
5.As part of the project, we aim to inspire and support people to care for, learn about, and actively engage with the river. What activities would you like to see available in relation to the River Allen? (Please select all that apply)(Required.)
6.What aspects of the River Allen would you like to see improved and celebrated? (Please select all that apply)(Required.)
7.Before the Landscape Recovery project did you know there was a chalk stream river called the River Allen in East Dorset?(Required.)
8.Do you have any other comments or suggestions you would like to share regarding community engagement with the River Allen?
9.What is the first part of your postcode (e.g. BH21 1)?