Our Solutions > Habitat Creation

Salix specialise in working within sensitive environments including SSSI’s and SAC sites. We employ a highly trained workforce that has experience of working in such environments often using specialist machinery.

In the creation or improvement of habitats, Salix employ a range of techniques to enhance degraded stream channels. Using gravel to create riffles and point bars in existing channels concentrates and revives water flow.

Diverse marginal and bank side vegetation can be established using mature pre-established coir rolls and pallets. Locally harvested tree trunks have been used to create double flow deflectors, we have also incorporated large backwaters in line with, and downstream of the resulting enhanced reach, to complete the new environment.

Our expertise in ecological contracting encompasses a range of mitigation measures creating new habitats for fish, newts, water voles and other protected species.

  • Longham Lakes
    Longham Lakes

    Working for Bournemouth & West Hants Water, Salix were appointed as Main Contractor to undertake 2km of bioengineering works…

  • Salwarpe Reedbed
    Salwarpe Reedbed

    As part of a new large reedbed creation project Salix contract grew and planted out 125,000 reed plants grown from local…

  • Twycross Zoo Wetlands
    Twycross Zoo Wetlands

    As Principle contractor, Salix constructed a 3 hectare wetland system to provide waste water treatment and habitat creation.…

  • River Pinn Enhancement
    River Pinn Enhancement

    Salix designed and constructed a stream enhancement project at a gas pipeline river crossing as ecological mitigation to a…

  • River Thaw Enhancement
    River Thaw Enhancement

    Salix were asked by Environment Agency Wales to advise on methods to restore a 100 metre reach of the River Thaw which had been…

  • River Roding A13 bank
    River Roding A13 bank protection works

    Salix advised engineers Halcrow on bioengineering methods to stabilise a regraded slope as part of an inter-tidal river…