Celebrating Dartmoor’s Rivers
Every so often, you attend an event that reminds you just how special Dartmoor is, and how many people truly care about it. Last week’s Dartmoor Society annual conference was one of those days. Held in the heart of Dartmoor, it brought together more than a sell-out crowd of one hundred people - geologists, anglers, archaeologists, conservationists, historians and river enthusiasts - all united by a common thread: a love of Dartmoor and its rivers.
TACA were proud to be part of the line-up, presenting an overview of the River Teign Restoration Project, talking about the decline of Atlantic Salmon, and looking ahead to our aspirations for the catchment. Sharing the stage with our friends and partners at the Westcountry Rivers Trust (a big shout out to Hannah and Olivia) felt like a full-circle moment - two organisations working side by side, joined by a shared purpose to restore, protect and celebrate our rivers.
A full programme and a full crowd all present to learn more about Dartmoor Rivers
Knowledge & Connection
The day-long programme was a fascinating tour through Dartmoor’s watery past, present and future. Talks covered everything from river geomorphology and landforms to the hidden legacy of tin streaming that has forever shaped Dartmoor’s valleys. We explored the archaeology of the clam bridges, learnt about the River Dart, and heard about modern river restoration and water treatment practices across the moor.
It was a rare opportunity to see so many threads of knowledge woven together in one place - science, history, art, conservation and culture all flowing into a single conversation about the future of Dartmoor’s rivers.
For our part, we presented how the four-year River Teign Restoration Project has given us the data and direction we need for the next phase of work. We shared our hopes for the next five years: continuing to restore riverbanks, improve shade and habitat, monitor fish and invertebrates, and strengthen the partnerships that make all of what we do possible.
Why Events Like This Matter
Days like these are more than just a series of presentations. They’re reminders of the shared effort that sustains this landscape and often goes unnoticed. The conversations between talks, the curiosity of new faces, the questions from people who had never heard of TACA before - that’s where awareness starts to grow.
For the Teign in particular, it’s invaluable. The more people understand the challenges and the beauty of this river system, the more voices there are to speak for it. Awareness fuels action and action fuels change.
It was encouraging, too, to hear the diversity of topics throughout the day. From geomorphology to water supply, from ancient tin workings to modern restoration. As with everything in nature, and specifically Dartmoor, everything is interconnected. The rivers of Dartmoor have always been the thread through its story: shaping land, supporting life, and inspiring those who walk its banks.
Neil Yeandle in full flow…
Looking Forward
For TACA, this was as much about listening as it was presenting. Hearing the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm from others working across Dartmoor reminded us that the Teign is part of a much larger system - a living network of water, people and place.
As we move into our next five-year plan, it’s these shared moments of collaboration that give us energy. The work on the river is practical, often outdoors in the cold and wet, and sometimes slow, but it sits within something bigger: a growing community of people determined to keep Dartmoor’s rivers alive, healthy and heard.
A Thank You
Our sincere thanks go to the Dartmoor Society and to Mike Rego for organising such an inspiring event. Bringing together so many perspectives, from science to storytelling, is no small task, but it’s what keeps the conversation about Dartmoor vibrant and forward-looking.
If the people in that room took away even one new insight about our rivers - about the Teign, the Dart, or any of the streams that wind their way off the moor - then I say that the day was a success.
Because the more we share what we know, the more we all begin to see these rivers for what they truly are. Not just lines on a map, but living, breathing systems that hold the past, present and future of Dartmoor in their flow.