Nature recovery

Creating the habitats and conditions needed so that Eden's native wildlife can thrive.

Staff members use a pringle tube to remove a water vole from its wooden transportation cage. Holding it by the tail and supported by the tube they inspect the vole to ensure that it is in good physical health prior to its release.

What makes Eden so special?

The River Eden catchment is one of England’s most ecologically rich landscapes—a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) that supports a remarkable diversity of aquatic and terrestrial life.

This unique area is home to:

Nationally-important habitats, including oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters, dynamic watercourses, and ancient alluvial woodlands,
Iconic river species such as Atlantic salmon, otters, and all three UK lamprey species,
Rare and protected wildlife, including one of the last strongholds in England for White-clawed crayfish, plus bullhead and water vole.

Beyond the riverbanks, the Eden catchment supports:

Marsh fritillary butterflies, Whooper swans, wading birds, Black grouse, and Red squirrels, a wide range of aquatic plants like Potamogeton species found in Ullswater
Stands of native Black poplar, one of Britain’s rarest trees

This rich mosaic of habitats and species makes the Eden catchment a vital area for conservation, restoration, and nature-based solutions—where farming, wildlife, and communities can thrive together.

ERT's approach to nature recovery

Water vole half obscured by the riverbank

Andrew Currie

Protecting Eden's native species

We are continuing our efforts to reintroduce water voles and protect our native crayfish throughout the Eden Catchment. This includes:

Habitat restoration to create the conditions needed to reintroduce water voles,
Control of invasive species (especially American mink for water voles), and
A new DNA sampling programme to map meta populations of water voles along the side of the North Pennines’ fells

Our vision is for water voles to be widespread once more throughout Cumbria ... and beyond and to protect our native White-clawed crayfish populations from the invasive American Signal crayfish.

Partners include: Environment Agency, North Pennines National Landscape, Natural England, NGOs and ERT volunteers who help survey populations and assist with reintroductions.

A man is stood in front of a stand of Himalayan balsam plants holding a collection of its pink flowers in the shape of a bouquet.

Stopping the spread of invasive, non-native species

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) pose a serious threat to Cumbria’s rivers, lakes, and biodiversity. That’s why we’re working closely with local communities, landowners, and water users to tackle the problem head-on in the Eden catchment.

Our approach is strategic and species-specific. We follow the three pillars of dealing with INNS:

Prevent through awareness programmes such as Don't Pack a Pest (Lake District Biosecurity Protection Area Strategy of which we are a member)

Stop the spread through biosecurity awareness Check, Clean, Dry, Don't Pack a Pest, and the promotion of recording of sightings using apps such as INNSMapper.

Remove through the annual Big Balsam Bash and strategic removal of Himalayan balsam in the headwaters and other species where practical.

Read more about stopping the spread

Looking across a table top covered in marketing materials promoting the Check, Clean, Dry campaign with a view beyond to Ullswater lake shore and distant fells beyond.

Our key actions include:

Raising awareness

With the public about the invasive species found in the Eden catchment and their impact on native ecosystems.
Mapping the problem

We promote tools like the INNS Mapper app to help track sightings. This data helps us understand the scale of the issue and develop targeted action plans.
Promoting best practice

By encouraging everyone who enjoys the outdoors to follow the Check, Clean, Dry routine every time they return from rivers or lakes. This simple habit helps stop the spread of invasive species.
Collaborating across Cumbria

We're working with other rivers trusts across the county to create a long-term, joined-up strategy for managing and eradicating invasive species throughout Cumbria.
Inspiring action

Getting communities involved in taking action to rid their local riverbanks through our annual Big Balsam Bash and independent balsam pulling.
Removal of INNS

This is species-specific, for example, Himalayan balsam spreads downstream via seeds, so we begin eradication efforts in the headwaters and work our way down the river. This ensures long-term success and prevents regrowth.

Restoring wildlife corridors

We restore and create woodland corridors along watercourses, improving habitat connectivity, diversity and access for wildlife.
These corridors:

Prevent agricultural pollution from entering rivers,
Stabilise riverbanks,
Provide safe passage for wildlife, shelter and food sources for insects, birds, small mammals and livestock, and
Support nature recovery and protect vulnerable species.

Partners include: Farmers, landowners, Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, and ERT volunteers - who plant many kilometres of hedges every year!

grassy field by the side of a river. Far to the left is a wooden and wire fence that extends along the whole length of the field, parallel to the river

Promoting wider riparian buffer zones

We actively promote the use of wider Riparian Buffer Zones (25m+) to protect watercourses and riverbanks. These zones:

Reduce pollution from agricultural activities and riverbank erosion,
Help alleviate flooding, and
Enhance biodiversity and habitat connectivity.

Partners include: Farmers, Landowners, Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, volunteers, and local fishing clubs, who play a valuable river custodian role.

Our goal

We want to ensure that our efforts serve nature’s needs first—not just the terms of a grant, or just one project.

By aligning our work with a clear, long-term vision for the Eden Catchment, we want to move from reactive to proactive, from fragmented to connected—and truly lead the way in nature recovery in wetland habitats.

We welcome people, organisations and funders who share this ambition - get in touch with us to explore opportunities.