Frome's river is being recognised as a living system
The River Frome is covered by the Avon Bioregional River Charter
Frome has signed up to a charter that recognises its river as a living system, rather than just a resource or a landmark.
Frome Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the Avon Bioregional River Charter at its latest meeting.
The council says the River Frome is one of the town's most important natural assets.
It says the pledge is in line with its existing environmental priorities and its growing role as a riverside landowner and steward.
The council intends to explore appointing a Community Guardian, or something similar, in future.
The role would advocate for the River Frome and support community engagement with the charter and other signatories.
The Avon Bioregional River charter is part of a growing movement that recognises rivers as living systems.
There are more than 20 river charters in existence across the UK.
The River Avon Charter is the first bioregional one, meaning it is an agreement based on natural boundaries rather than political divisions.
The aim is to unite every local authority in the catchment around the shared goal of protecting the river.
The charter was developed by We Are Avon, a project working to regenerate the Avon catchment area, the University of West of England, and councillors from the region.
It is a statement of principles, which include the right to exist, thrive and evolve naturally, the right to flow sustainably and the right not to be polluted.
It also includes the right to biodiversity integrity, the right to regeneration and restoration, the right to cultural and community connection and the right to representation and advocacy.
Cllr Sara Butler said: "We are delighted to be part of this growing movement to recognise rivers as living systems and as a council, have adopted this charter to help support the river exist as it should. With fantastic community groups in the town working to promote the ecological and cultural importance of the river, this charter will bring together authorities and groups to support the biological health of the river and the area alongside it."
Gemma Annan-Mead, from Frome Families for the Future and Friends of the River Frome, said: "I'm overjoyed that Frome has signed up to the Avon Bioregional Charter. It feels like a real step forward in protecting the river at such an important time. We can use the charter to strengthen the work already happening to protect and improve the health of the river here in Frome, and it unites us with the neighbouring towns and parishes who've signed up too. We all want the same thing: for the river to flow free from pollution and be a rich, healthy home for the wildlife, big and small, that lives there!
"We can all be river guardians. If you spot pollution, dead fish, or strange smells or colours, please report it to Wessex Water or the Environment Agency. There are lots more ways to help the river, at home or on your walks, at fromefamiliesforthefuture.co.uk/helping-the-river."