LACEBY residents are being urged to get involved in a project aiming to restore the natural splendour of a globally rare habitat in the village.
Laceby Beck has been classified as being in "poor ecological status" by the European Water Framework Directive due to environmental changes in the area.
The beck is a chalk stream, a habitat which can only be found in parts of eastern and south England as well as Normandy in France.
As they are fed by groundwater from a chalk geology, these types of streams offer a number of special characteristics which make them unique.
When in peak condition, their clear water carries little sediment which, in conjunction with their stable flows and temperatures, and low levels of nutrients such as ammonia, phosphate and nitrate, make them attractive to an array of rare and unusual wildlife.
Among the species which call chalk streams their home include water voles, otters, kingfisher, heron and the nationally threatened white-clawed crayfish.
Ruth Craig, project officer of the Lincolnshire Chalk Stream Project (LCSP), explained why Laceby's chalk stream is in dire need of attention.
She said: "The beck is fed from the chalk spring Well Beck just off the A18.
"Unfortunately, in recent years, this spring has become intermittent which impacts on the ecological status of the river.
"It's not just here either. Agricultural intensification over the past few decades has affected much of Lincolnshire's chalk stream habitat."
The LCSP was founded almost ten years ago to turn the tide and help protect streams such as Laceby Beck.
In recent years, projects to restore the stream have seen improvements made at Laceby Manor Golf Course. The LCSP also worked with farmers downstream of the golf course to restore 2km of the bankside.
Plans are now underway for further work to be carried out.
Ruth said: "We have now received further support thanks to WREN's Biodiversity Action Fund, which will allow us to increase resources to help encourage and support more community involvement and to deliver a further 9.8km of chalk stream improvements in Lincolnshire, including Laceby Beck."
Assistance from local residents is an important part of this latest phase and Will Bartle, chalk stream monitoring officer, is looking to get volunteers who want to get hands-on in helping to improve the beck.
He said: "We are trying to encourage local people to take ownership of the beck
"We have got some rare butterfly and fish species in there. It's a Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat so we're keen to improve the ecology.
"For example, there should be a population of brown trout but there isn't because the flow is so low. Improving this is vital."
Now the new year has arrived, the ideal time is fast approaching for the latest phase of work to begin, which is planned to take place around March and April.
"It's best to do it in the winter when flows are high," said Will.
"We'd like to get people to do a bit of stream-dipping and we're also on the lookout for volunteers to do some riverfly monitoring."
The LCSP is also hoping to keep interest in Laceby Beck's natural beauty alive by other means.
Will said: "We're looking at getting a display board put up near the beck.
"This would give information to visitors on the various species they can spot in and around the stream.
"We think something like this would help promote the beck and show that it's a habitat to be appreciated.
Anyone who would like to volunteer can get involved by e-mailing Will Bartle at william.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk
