News

South Cumbria Rivers Trust are currently working on the Windermere Lake Action Plan to improve the key biodiversity/natural capital assets of the lake, its shore and the public benefits this provides, by identifying and implementing practical action. In order to do this, we are: Reviewing existing information and carrying out vegetation surveys to establish a baseline of extent and current condition. Comparing this with historic data to understand trends and highlight areas for concern. Developing a pipeline of receptor sites…

Saturday 20th July, Rydal saw volunteers descend for ‘Fight the Aliens’ Day, with huge numbers offering to lend a hand. SCRT staff and volunteers and Friends of the Lake District, organised a day of pulling Himalayan Balsam (HB); a vigorous and fast growing invasive non-native species. A number of landowners, farmers and partners were also involved and supportive of the event, including; Lowther Estates, Rydal Estates, C&S Hodgson, Lake District National Park Authority and the National Trust. A whopping 72…

Elterwater, in South Cumbria, is formed from three connected basins and is fed by both the Great Langdale Beck and Little Langdale Beck. It also suffers poor water quality. For approximately 40 years, up until the late 1990’s, the waste water treatment plant (WwTP) which served the village of Elterwater discharged treated water into the inner basin of Elterwater. Whilst this discharge was consented, it contributed considerable amounts of nutrients into the inner basin. Over the decades, these have accumulated…

Lucy Stevens, our MSc project researcher needs your help. As part of her ongoing research into Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), local views and knowledge about bio-security, Lucy is asking for some assistance from users of Lake Windermere. Whether your an angler, swimmer or boat user, your assistance will provide insight into research into the introduction of INNS and efforts to keep Windermere free from invasive species to ultimately protect the environment, protect the water quality and water user’s health. If you…

South Cumbria Rivers Trust have collaborated with The University of Cumbria on an exciting commission of MSc research. This one-year part funded project by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will put a spotlight on Cumbria and factors affecting and contributing to changes in the environment. Lucy Stevens, an MSc Eco-System Services Evaluation student, was successfully awarded the project with SCRT, with the research focus on Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). INNS are fast spreading, non-native species that cause damage to…

At SCRT, we know that we wouldn’t be anywhere without the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Every year the River Kent Invasive Plants Action Group organise and coordinate Balsam Bashing events around the river Kent. Himalayan Balsam is a non-native invasive plant species that commonly grows near waterways and river banks. It  can have a significant ecological impact, as it grows persistently and suppresses native species and other flora. Last year, our volunteers visited Bowston, near Kendal and carried…

Our Conserving Coniston and Crake team, in conjunction with the Butterfly Conservation and the Becks to Bay Partnership, have been carrying out wildlife surveys. Jayne and Kath have delivered some training to keen volunteers, that survey local buffer strips and collect information about the wildlife in this area. This information will allow us to track the development and track to hopeful increase in biodiversity. Please see here for further information: BUFFER STRIP TRAINING

South Cumbria Rivers Trust are currently working up a proposal to remove Bowston weir, near Burneside in South Cumbria. Discussions are still underway but in the meantime we encourage you to check the Bowston Question & Answer Document. We have conducted a number of investigations into the removal proposal and a full design report can be found here. A flood risk assessment has also been carried out which can be viewed here: flood risk assessment. If you have any additional questions or…

Matt Carroll, our project officer has been working on Spannel Beck, to the South of Cartmel Fell. Spannel Beck is a tributary of the River Winster in South Cumbria. The project incorporated watercourse fencing, formalised hard standing crossing points and alternative livestock drinking solutions, that will improve over 800 metres of aquatic habitat. The beck suffered from excessive livestock poaching and sedimentation. Fencing has meant that the livestock will be excluded from the watercourse and will no longer be able…

Matt Carroll, our project delivery officer, has been working on a getting a 55 metre section of river in the Rusland Pool area, de-culverted over the last few months. A culvert is a buried structure that allows water to flow under a road, field, trail etc from one side to another without obstruction. The site forms part of a wetland area and by de-culverting the site, the natural stream habitat can now be restored; quickly benefiting fish, invertebrates and other…