Eco-pilgrimages: Linking humans, heritage, and hydrology

Abstract

Over the last century, the health of aquatic ecosystems around the world has reached critical levels. In the UK, waterways are severely polluted, and yet many wells and springs are still venerated as ‘sacred’. This article presents ‘eco-pilgrimages’ as a sustainability strategy to connect key heritage sites through ecological corridors. This aims, simultaneously, to strengthen biodiversity; to enable immersive historical and ecological education; to contribute to human well-being; and to provide more effective flood amelioration in river catchment areas.