Water vole are one of Britain's most threatened species, in England their conservation status is Endangered. Our project will address the cause of the decline, absence and fragmentation of sustainable water vole populations in the Kennet and Pang catchments. Habitat loss, reduced habitat connectivity and predation by the invasive non-native American mink are the main problems for the long-term survival for this mammal.

ARK will: Work strategically at a catchment scale with fellow environmental organisations, local communities and riparian landowners Train volunteers to use nationally recognised methodology to carry out annual surveys Monitor and identify reasons for water vole absence Use data to address causes of water vole decline or absence, such as habitat improvement and sustained co-ordinated mink control.