The Anton River Conservation Association (TARCA) has been named the winner of the Blue Spaces category at the Hampshire Countryside Awards.
The judges praised TARCA’s long-running work to protect and enhance the River Anton, an important chalk stream that forms part of Hampshire’s nationally and internationally recognised chalk stream network.
Founded more than 15 years ago, TARCA is a volunteer-led organisation bringing together people of all ages to carry out practical conservation work along the river. Activities include habitat management, scrub clearance, tree planting, coppicing, hedge-laying, maintaining historic watercress beds and regular litter picks.
Judges highlighted the group’s strong community involvement, collaboration with Test Valley Borough Council, and its work to engage younger generations through nature-based activities such as bird box making and conservation crafts.
In their citation, judges said the River Anton, while less well known than the Test, Itchen and Meon, is “an important part of the chalk stream network within Hampshire” and that ongoing conservation work is “vital to its wellbeing now and for the future”.
A short video from the Hampshire Countryside Awards, featuring TARCA and the other winners, can be watched below.
As category winners, TARCA will now go forward to the CPRE Centenary National Awards in 2026, representing Hampshire at a national level.