World Aquatic Scientific Societies, are highlighting the immense threats faced by aquatic ecosystems and call for urgent action on climate change, during the ongoing COP26 summit. Freshwaters are disproportionately important and disproportionately at risk from climate change and other human pressures. Freshwater ecosystems host 10 times the biodiversity per area than the land and the sea, although they are often overlooked. Freshwater vertebrate populations are declining at a rate almost double that of those on land and in the sea…

Our rivers are failing, and it’s up to us to do something about it. Each and everyone of us can play our part. All rivers in England are failing chemical standards and only 14% of rivers in England are in good ecological health.  Water quality incidents are frequent and widespread, this hit from multiple sources is putting pressure on already struggling systems. Therefore, South Cumbria Rivers Trust is asking everyone to share any reports of incidents to help build a…

On Saturday 10th July, South Cumbria Rivers Trust and Friends of the Lake District joined forces to tackle the invasive non-native, Himalayan Balsam, near Rydal. The day was supported by a big volunteer work force, and other partners including the Lake District National Park, National Trust, Lowther Estates, Rydal Estate and C & S Hodgson (Rydal Hall Farm). You can read more about the success of the day and sign up to further events here.

The Rivers Trust have been campaigning to end sewage pollution in rivers and lakes, and today welcomed proposed amendments to the Environment Bill, as announced by DEFRA. You can read the Rivers Trusts full response to this here. This includes a fantastic story map which highlights the issues at a local level, showing the risks of sewage pollution in rivers and lakes. As local Rivers Trust and catchment partnership, we have been working across South Cumbria for a number of…

South Cumbria Rivers Trust have successfully completed a Heritage Fund project, Conserving Coniston & Crake.  The project delivered a wide range of practical conversation improvements, including riverbank fencing, riparian corridor creation, opening up becks and reedbed restoration. This was all supported by an extensive community engagement programme. The team worked closely with partners, including the National Trust, Environment Agency and Lake District National Park, as well as being supported by a wide number of local people and organisations including Envirotech Ecologists,…

Are you a passionate conservationist working with communities? Do you have a strong academic background in the biological sciences and/or extensive experience of community engagement in an environmental context? Do you want to deliver species restoration in and around Morecambe Bay – a Site of Special Scientific Interest, adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Lake District National Park, now with UNESCO World Heritage Status? Join the Back On Our Map (BOOM) Project Team. BOOM is a…

Are you travelling to the lakes this summer in your own campervan or motorhome? Do you know the best way to dispose waste water? Help us protect the area by following this handy guidance. With an increase in staycations expected this year LOVEmyBEACH have produced a leaflet to provide advice to motorhome and campervan users on waste water disposal. We love this area, and we’re proud of it, help us keep it this way by disposing your waste water properly…

Do you love walks along your local beach? Love my beach are calling on all regular beach users to help identify and report signs of coastal pollution.  Coastal pollution has the potential to harm our beaches, seas and wildlife. Various sources of pollution can impact bathing water quality and the reputation of beaches, whilst being unpleasant to look at and potentially dangerous for beach users. Emily Parr, Fylde Beach Care Officer says, “Major pollution incidents are well reported, enabling swift…

As a partnership we’re a group of dedicated member organisations working across a range of sectors to deliver improvements across the catchments of South Cumbria.  Members within the catchment partnership are currently advertising a number of opportunities. Interested in working in this and nearby areas? Check out the opportunities below: Lake District National Park Authority:  The Lake District National Park Authority are recruiting for a Natural Environment Adviser to work in the new Strategy and Ranger service. For more information please…

South Cumbria Rivers Trust have recently employed a project officer to work on the United Utilities Raw Water Project. United Utilities recognise the benefits for adopting a catchment systems approach to protecting and improving water quality.  They have therefore, engaged and funded South Cumbria Rivers Trust to deliver a catchment based project in the upper Duddon, Poaka and Pennington reservoir catchments in the Furness area and Levers Water, near Coniston. The project: The project aims to carry out practical works…