In this project we’ve turned to Milton Creek, and experimenting with ways to improve the water quality and enhance the estuary’s ecology, whilst engaging the local community in learning more about and caring for the Creek.

Milton Creek has suffered from industrial pollution, including from the Kemsley Paper Mill – particularly between 1961 and early 1990s, when the operation to make fluting paper led to effluent from a sulphite plant going straight into the watercourse. 

We want to experiment with new planting of estuary species – seagrasses, oysters, mussels, all of which once thrived on the Creek – to see how these could help clear pollution and improve biodiversity. 

As a first stage we are carrying out the essential surveys that are first required, and install up to four floating ecosystem modules to highlight the project. We are also undertaking community, through a series of talks and ‘Citizen Science’ events, linked to the survey work.