South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Freshwater Biological Association, Environment Agency and Natural England have partnered up for a multi million pound project on the River Kent, Special Area of Conservation (SAC). As part of the Natura 2000 network, the River Kent SAC is designated for its Ranunculion habitat, Freshwater pearl mussel, Bullhead and White-clawed crayfish.
This five year EU part-funded LIFE R4ever Kent Project plans to Restore and Revive the River Kent SAC, so that species and habitats can Recover, thus making the designated features more Resilient to environmental pressures.
The River Kent SAC is currently impacted by several issues including water quality, siltation, physical modification and invasive non-native species, which have led to a decline in native species condition and habitats. The LIFE R4ever Kent project plans to rectify this.
For example, the Freshwater pearl mussel is a keystone species which requires clean gravel habitats. Improved water and habitat quality (including Ranunculion habitat) will benefit other aquatic/terrestrial species including the endangered White-clawed crayfish and provide optimum conditions for the Freshwater pearl mussel’s salmonid hosts. The project will trial new techniques, provide targeted advice and training and promote better communication.
You can find out more about the River Kent on our South Cumbria catchment partnership site Becks to Bay; https://btob.scrt.co.uk/south-cumbria-catchment-plan/kent-catchment OR visit the Facebook or Twitter pages for project updates, events and ongoing works. Visit the website to find out even more: https://r4everkent.co.uk/
The LIFE R4Ever Kent project has been running for over a year now and and we have more exciting projects coming up in 2023. Read the recent milestone blog about what 2022 meant for the River Kent: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF…