Rivers As Local Nature? Local Public Responses to River Restoration Projects, 1997-1998

The purpose of this study was to:<br> examine how far local residents have participated in three river restoration projects on the rivers Skerne (Darlington), Cole (Coleshill) and Medway (East Peckham);<br> analyse how far river restoration is seen as restoring the 'natural' condition by local residents and restoration managers;<br> contribute to the academic understanding of the contested status of environmental management with particular reference to the theorisation of the 'local' and 'natural';<br> recommend to river restoration managers ways in which public participation and appreciation of the projects might be enhanced.