By Andrew Gardner Embarking on the role of a new trustee at South Cumbria Rivers Trust (SCRT) is a journey akin to navigating the intricate twists and turns of a river. With a commitment to restoring rich, healthy rivers and lakes for nature and the people of South Cumbria, this unique role is both an honour and a responsibility. My first twelve months as a trustee has been an interesting journey filled with challenges and triumphs. This blog delves into…

By Hannah Teagle – Project Officer The European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) is widely distributed throughout Europe but starts its life 4000 miles away in the Sargasso Sea. Soon after hatching as transparent ‘glass eels’, they start the journey towards Europe using the Gulf Stream. Once in Europe (if they make it) the eels enter the freshwater system, growing into elvers in becks and rivers where they can remain from 5 to 20 years! The last stage of their life is…

Hello I’m Oliver and I have recently joined SCRT as a Water Scientist. My role will be to support the other members of the team, particularly around data collection and analysis, bringing the understanding and experience I developed through my degree. Over my first two months, I have certainly been putting many of these skills and techniques into practice, as well as learning about where and how the Trust operates. Having visited various parts of South Cumbria on holiday over…

One question that’s been brought up this year is ‘shouldn’t you leave Himalayan Balsam (HB) once it’s gone to seed?’ With anything in life, the answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. Once HB has started to form its mature seed pods it should be treated more carefully. So, here is our handy information pack about the methods we use, when and why to pull HB in seed, the risks and how to reduce them. Our Method: How to conduct…

Himalayan Balsam: an invasive species Himalayan balsam (HB) is seen to be a beautiful plant, by some. The Victorians certainly took a shine to it and brought it to England, to put in their gardens. Little did they know the damage this plant would cause in the years following. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an annual, meaning that each plant will grow each year, set seed and then die off. The problem is in the number of seeds it produces…

Hello there, I’m Ruby. Over the past few days, I’ve tagged along with the team here at SCRT as part of my work experience. Firstly, I want to say thank you, often work experience can involve making tea and sorting out the cupboard. But that is miles away from what I have been up to. From e-fishing to marking up trees for leaky dams, I have glimpsed the breadth of the work done here at SCRT. One thing I found…

Eels in the Classroom This two-year project, supported by BAE Systems and United Utilities has now come to an end, well, nearly….. Fitting alongside some practical delivery work in the Barrow and Furness area to improve fish migration, the project was set up to give four schools an amazing opportunity to learn about a critically endangered species, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and about our rivers too. We took advice from other river trusts and the Sustainable Eel Group (SEG)…

Hi, my name is Sammy. I’m a recent graduate of animal conservation science. Having studied for three years, plus a placement year, at the University of Cumbria, I have been recently employed by South Cumbria Rivers Trust as an invasive non-native species coordinator. This means I will work with various people to get rid of invasive species that aren’t from the UK that are causing huge negative impacts to our local species, ecosystem and wildlife. The areas I’m working in…

With the help of volunteers, SCRT has carried out a series of coppicing events to increase light to reedbeds around Windermere. The CaST project is focused on restoring and maintaining reedbeds around Windermere. Reedbeds have declined 90% despite being important, not only for providing valuable habitat for birds, mammals, invertebrates and more but they also act as natural filters, removing nutrients and re-oxygenating water. Succession on the inland edge of existing reedbeds can lead to high tree cover and over…

In 2019, SCRT installed three floating islands in Elterwater as part of our ongoing Elterwater remediation project. Elterwater is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), formed from three connected basins (inner, middle and outer basin) and fed by Great Langdale Beck and Little Langdale Beck. Situated just outside the small village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, Elterwater has been badly affected by historical pollution. SCRT have been working to improve the water quality of Elterwater for a number…