News

Every year ‘Balsam Bashes’ are organised by volunteers and members of the Kent Catchment Partnership. Himalayan Balsam is a fast growing invasive non-native species and can be found in several areas in and around the the country. With the help of volunteers, we attempt to control the spread and eradicate the infestation through hard work, monitoring and repeat visits over several years. Some facts and figures from 2019: 18 work parties took place in the Kent catchment, plus a further…

South Cumbria Rivers Trust are currently out and about Electrofishing every week, during July-September. Jayne, has been visiting sites throughout the catchment with civilian and business volunteers to carry out our fish surveys. How does it work? A 50m stretch of river is chosen at each site and the following is recorded: average width depth riparian vegetation pH temperature conductivity The voltage and pulse width of the electrofishing equipment is then adjusted according to the recommended settings for the respective…

Saturday 17th of August saw record numbers of visitors and competitors attend the all England stone skimming competition at Fell Foot, Newby Bridge. The weather was fantastic as was the skimming, with the longest throw of the day going to Alex Lewis. Sporting an injury, the reigning champ threw 98m (321ft) to win the male category, beating his record distance of 95m (311ft) in last years competition. The female category was won by Christina Bowen Bravery, throwing 41m (134ft), beating…

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