Leading climate experts and local leaders to gather at Burgh Island Hotel to address the urgent threat
of water pollution and its impact on local communities
Devon Rivers Manifesto will be presented as a blueprint for national action on the UK’s river
Burgh Island Hotel, the iconic Art Deco retreat on a private tidal island, has today announced the return of the Island Assembly on Thursday 13th March 2025, from 10.30 am to 4:30pm. This year’s conference will focus on tackling water pollution, with a particular emphasis on Devon’s rivers, which are under severe threat, as 80% currently fail to achieve ‘good’ ecological status.
Monty Halls, the renowned marine biologist, conservationist, and broadcaster – best known for his work on the BBC, Channel 4 and National Geographic – will deliver the keynote address, highlighting the urgent threat of water pollution and its impact on local communities and the environment.
The Assembly, hosted by Avon River Champions and Bigbury Net Zero will feature a distinguished line-up of speakers, including Caroline Voaden, MP for South Devon, Guy Singh Waston, Founder of Riverford, Nick Bruce-White CEO of Devon Wildlife Trust, Katrina Walker, Solicitor World Wildlife Fund Gary Jolliffe, CEO of Force4Nature, and Simon Browning, Technical Lead at The Rivers Trust.
Louise Wainwright, Chair of Avon River Champions, will present the BluePrint Project, which champions the formation of River Water Quality Groups linking up parish councils along the river valleys and the communities that live there. This is a call to action urging environment organisations and local communities to consider the practical solutions to pollution and take immediate local steps to protect Devon’s waterways. The BluePrint Project includes a pledge to achieve ‘good’ ecological status across Devon’s rivers by 2027, by achieving this on a myriad of small catchments across Devon. The primary goal is to fully-fund farmers to install Nature-based Solutions to both agricultural pollution and sewage overspills. Reed-beds, leaky dams, river buffer zones are amongst the many easy-to-install practical solutions to pollution which also bring local communities together as they support local farmers to get this done.
The Devon Rivers Manifesto will also challenge elected MPs to use their mandate to restore the budgets needed for farmers to afford to undertake Catchment Sensitive Farming, and for the Environment Agency to control the excesses of water companies and ensure they comply with their Discharge Permit.
Following the success of the inaugural Island Assembly in 2022, which brought together over 60 delegates to discuss sustainability initiatives across energy, transport, and farming, this year’s event reaffirms Burgh Island Hotel’s commitment to eco-friendly hospitality and environmental advocacy.
Burgh Island Hotel has been a champion of sustainability for nearly two decades, first receiving the Green Apple Organisation’s Gold Award for Conservation in 2007. The hotel continues to set industry standards by sourcing 80% of its ingredients from within a 30-mile radius, installing solar panels on disused tennis courts, and implementing a guest opt-in policy for digital devices to reduce energy consumption.
Beyond its sustainability efforts within hospitality, Burgh Island Hotel actively supports the local community in South Hams through regular initiatives such as the Tom Crocker Day Festival and the Burgh Island Swim.
Giles Fuchs, Owner of Burgh Island Hotel, said: “While climate change is a global challenge, its impact is felt most acutely at a local level. As part of the South Hams community, Burgh Island Hotel is committed to playing its role in protecting our natural surroundings. Hosting the Island Assembly reflects our long-standing dedication to sustainability, and we are proud to support this vital initiative in driving positive change for Devon’s waterways.”
Niki Fuchs, Owner of Burgh Island Hotel, said: “It is our pleasure to once again host the second iteration of the Island Assembly, and bring together local voices, experts, and policymakers to drive meaningful solutions to protect our rivers. As custodians of Burgh Island, it is our responsibility as part of the Bigbury community to work together to create real change, and such initiatives are essential to this.
Louise Wainwright, Chair of Avon River Champions, said: “We are thrilled to be able to hold the Island Assembly again this year, in partnership with Burgh Island. The BluePrint Project is a call to action for everyone to work in partnership to address the urgent need to halt pollution of our beloved rivers and estuaries. It’s fantastic to have so much support from some excellent speakers, scientists, local councils and leaders of environment and community groups at the forefront of the practical work needed to protect Devon’s waterways.”