News

The United Utilities supported CaST project, Windermere Reedbed Restoration got underway this autumn. We’re aiming to create and restore 800sq.m of reedbed, through practical work and engagement with local communities. Reedbeds are a vital Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat (BAP) as well key to intercepting sediments and pollutants but have declined around Windermere by 80%. Whilst we wait for water levels and weather conditions to be right for the practical work we got on with some engagement. Students from the University…

A report created by an SCRT volunteer for the Rothay catchment is now available. This report outlines the Himalayan Balsam infestation around this catchment area and the future steps required to alleviate the spread of this invasive species. You can read the report here: Rothay Himalayan Balsam Report 2021 With thanks to our volunteers who work tirelessly year after year to eradicate this invasive species from South Cumbria. Without whom this invasive would continue to spread, causing damage to our…

South Cumbria Rivers Trust (SCRT) have recently delivered a project to re-connect Great Langdale beck into the middle basin of Elterwater. During September 2021, SCRT worked with landowners National Trust, the Environment Agency and Natural England to create some shallow scrapes through the woodland between Great Langdale Beck and middle basin. Elterwater is a Site of Special Scientific Interest formed of the connected basins (inner, middle and outer). Historic pollution from a Wastewater Treatment Works on inner basin, and the…

We have a vacancy for a new Project Officer for the EU LIFE R4Ever Kent Project (LIFE20.NAT/UK/001013). In partnership with Natural England, the Freshwater Biological Association and the Environment Agency, you will be helping to restore freshwater habitats for pearl mussels and white-clawed crayfish in the Kent Special Area of Conservation (SAC). See our vacancies page for more information: Project Officer Vacancy

Making pollution incidents visible for the first time, SCRT have developed a reporting system where the public can now report water pollution incidents happening in and around their local watercourses. WATER QUALITY MAP SCRT recognise the need to have a reporting system that allows people to see what is happening at a local level to empower change. The Water Quality Map data will be taken the Catchment Partnership every quarter to drive improvements locally. Have a question about pollution? Got…

The Rivers Trust, our national body, have just released The State of Our Rivers Report. Providing data on both a local and national scale for England, the report provides us with detail to better understand the health of our rivers; highlighting their plight and how we are losing the fight to enable rivers to be key in our climate resilience. Some of the main points are: Agriculture contributes towards nearly two-thirds of rivers failing to meet good status; the water…

CEO of The Rivers Trust, Mark Lloyd is hitting the road in a bid to raise funds for The Rivers Trust. Mark is truly embracing the River Revival campaign, set up by the Rivers Trust inviting people to ‘Take 5’ to spare a thought for rivers. From Abergavenny to Glasgow, Mark will be riding 500 miles, via at least 5 local Rivers Trusts and in only 5 days! We wish you the best of luck Mark. You can follow his…

Lambrigg Beck is part of the River Kent, which is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). A reach of the beck was identified to have a number of concerns; it had been straightened, embanked in places, revetted with artificial bank protection and cleared of natural tree debris material, crucial for fish habitat. The project also identified a weir upstream affecting fish migration and the hydro-morphology of the beck as well as two natural flood…

We held two Family River Dipping sessions this summer, with 40 adults & children exploring the River Kent at Levens Hall and the beck at Hoathwaite Campsite, Coniston. We found plenty of minibeasts, some small fish and even an eel. A big thank you to both Levens Hall and the National Trust and to all the volunteers who helped.

We have taken the decision to cancel tomorrow’s balsam bashing at Bell Beck. This is due to the poor weather forecast which would make working conditions difficult and a low level of interest. We apologise for any inconvenience but hope you can join us on Thursday 12th August instead.