We are running another Riverfly training course – the last of 2024! Want to help your local beck or river? Well now you can.

SCRT have been running courses with the Riverfly Partnership for over eight years and now you have an opportunity to join this fantastic citizen science programme. This free training will provide you with the knowledge and means to assess your local rivers health. This is a nationally recognised training course and SCRT are the official hub for South Cumbria.

How? Well, riverflies or invertebrates are known as ‘the canary of our rivers’ because they are strong biological indicators to monitor water quality. They are relatively localised, long-lived and sensitive to pollution. Riverflies (Caddisflies, Stoneflies and Mayflies) live most of their lives as larvae on the bed of rivers before emerging as short-lived adult flies in the spring and summer.

This training is for those wanting to get a bit more up close and hands on. So join the South Cumbrian hub, made up of many volunteers and learn how to sample your local beck/river.

Sampling takes place between April and September and you will be asked to sample one location, once a month. You will then record the results on the Riverfly Partnership database, which is available for all and gives us a local and national picture of river health.

The training session will be on Thursday 11th July from 10:30am – 4:00pm in the Duddon Valley, specifically Seathwaite Parish Hall, Broughton in Furness, LA20 6ED. Once completed you will receive a certificate and the equipment to use whilst sampling for us. Locations for sampling are discussed at the training event – so get your thinking caps on! All you’ll need on the day is a packed lunch and your wellies/waders. Please also bring some waterproofs just in case it rains on the day.

Come on, join the riverfly revolution! If you’re interested in the training, please let Rachael know by e-mailing admin@scrt.co.uk