About Triple Axe 

Triple Axe is a partnership dedicated to improving the health and resilience of the River Axe catchment – a landscape rich in wildlife, farming heritage, and community life. 

The name Triple Axe reflects our focus on three interconnected themes that are essential to the catchment’s future: 

  • Nature – restoring habitats and biodiversity 
  • Farming – supporting sustainable land management 
  • People – connecting communities with the landscape and each other 

By working across these three areas, we aim to create a joined-up approach to land and water management that benefits the whole catchment. 

View along the Yarty valley with woodland, hedges, fields, and trees.
View along the Yarty Valley. Photo: James Maben

Our vision 

To deliver lasting environmental improvements across the River Axe catchment by working in partnership on nature, farming, and people. 

How we work 

Triple Axe is built on a collaborative governance structure that ensures coordination, transparency, and action: 

Steering group 

The Steering Group is responsible for overseeing the direction of the partnership. It scans the horizon for emerging issues and opportunities, reviews progress against the Triple Axe Action Plan, sets draft agendas, and coordinates the work of the Working Groups. The group meets quarterly, and each member organisation is expected to send a representative to every meeting. 

The Steering Group comprises a representative from each of the following organisations: 

  • Environment Agency  
  • Blackdown Hills National Landscape  
  • East Devon / Dorset National Landscapes  
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) 
  • Axe Landscape Recovery Project  
  • East Devon District Council 
  • Westcountry Rivers Trust  
  • Farming and Woodland Advisory Group (FWAG) South West  
  • Friends of the River Axe 
  • Natural England 
  • South West Water 
  • Catchment Sensitive Farming 

Working groups 

These are task-and-finish groups focused on delivering progress within the three core themes and supporting areas like communications, data, and funding. Each group works to a clear brief and reports back to the Steering Group and the Partnership Forum. 

Projects 

Triple Axe supports several major projects that contribute to the partnership’s shared goals. These include: 

  • Rivers Run Through Us 
  • River Axe Landscape Recovery 
  • Friends of the River Axe 

Each project has its own governance arrangements and provides regular updates to the Steering Group and the Partnership Forum. 

Partnership forum 

Held every six months, the Partnership Forum brings together all partners to share progress, align efforts, and strengthen collaboration. Members commit to supporting the Triple Axe Vision and Strategy wherever they have the capacity to do so. 

Information sharing 

Triple Axe is working towards better ways of sharing knowledge and updates across the partnership. A shared document hub is in place, and regular e-newsletters are planned. This website will become a central space for updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved – as the partnership continues to grow.