We’ve been working in the Trout Beck catchment (see map) since 1999. Over that time we’ve delivered a huge variety of small scale habitat improvement projects.
We’ve been working in the Trout Beck catchment (see map below) since 1999. Over that time we’ve delivered a huge variety of small scale habitat improvement projects.
These included fencing, soil improvement, tree planting, farm advice and tree coppicing. All of the above have contributed to improving the habitat in the area, predominantly by excluding stock access to the rivers through planting – allowing the channel to naturally recover.
In 2019, we were awarded a Water Environment Grant (WEG) funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for habitat improvement works in the Trout Beck catchment.
The Wild Trout Trust carried out catchment walkovers to identify priority locations for habitat improvements. Multiple fencing projects were completed to protect the channels from livestock poaching and we planted trees to provide diverse habitat and create a buffer strip from surface water/sediment run-off.
The Flakebridge river restoration project was completed in September 2020. This involved implementing an assisted natural recovery approach to a historically straightened channel. Features such as bars and riffles were created along with multiple meandering channels and backwaters.
Ecological consultants completed a catchment-wide INNS removal management plan with the aim to eradicate them from the catchment area. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic hindering progress in 2020, we removed Himalayan balsam along a 5km stretch of the upper reaches of the Trout Beck by project end.
We worked with local schools throughout the project and ran a number of volunteer events throughout the year that residents of all ages could get involved with. Organised to coincide with National Tree Week, we encouraged pupils in the Trout Beck area to put down their pens and pick up a spade to plant trees by their local river.
85 pupils from both schools joined our staff, volunteers and the local community to put what they’ve learnt into practice by planting 450 trees along buffer strips created along watercourses near their schools.
Primary school pupils from Long Marton and Kirkby Thore got the opportunity to learn about why trees are tree-mendous. In a classroom session run by our Learning Officer, Tania Crockett, pupils looked at how water moves in the Trout Beck catchment, what makes rivers healthy … and unhealthy (!) and the effect this can have on the wildlife that depends on the river.
The pupils then explored how trees are great for rivers and wildlife. Planted in buffer strips (fenced off areas near the river), trees slow the flow of surface water, and absorb rainwater, reducing the amount that reaches the river. They also provide valuable habitat for wildlife, reduce pollution and strengthen riverbanks.
40 people joined us at Ghyll Barn near Long Marton to find out more about the project, visit one of the project sites, and learn some fun volunteer skills from the experts – such as willow weaving, river habitat surveying, invertebrate ID, scything and apple tree grafting.
In this BLOG, we follow the progress with our Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, volunteers and community groups embarking on this adventure with us.
Take a look at this case study
We have completed a major river restoration and natural flood management (NFM) partnership project at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Bowber Head Farm Nature Reserve.
Take a look at this case study
5 min read
A £328k natural flood management (NFM) and habitat improvement partnership project working at a catchment scale to identify and install a wide variety of natural flood management…
Take a look at this case study