Abstract

The Bourne Stream Partnership is a consortium of stake holders, which includes local authorities, the Environment Agency, water companies, English Nature, NGOs and private businesses. Its aim is to enhance the environmental quality and amenity value of Bourne stream through sustainable development. Bourne Stream provides a local fieldwork site for undergraduate and postgraduate Environmental & Geographical Science students within the school of Conservation Sciences at Bournemouth University. Consortium members have provided opportunities for student placements and research projects (up to and including PhD level) based on various aspect of Bourne Stream (i.e. water quality, ecological assessment, community partnership. This in turn has provided useful information for the partnership, demonstrating the benefits of linking teaching with research and with organisations consultancy external to HE.