Environment Agency (EA) staff have been rolling up their sleeves to help conserve wildlife on the River Eden. Staff from the EA Penrith and Preston offices have been working with the Eden Rivers Trust on a joint project to improve the wildlife of the River Petteril in north Cumbria.
The work involves planting 400 trees along the River Petteril at Blencow, near Penrith. The farmer of the land concerned agreed to have the river fenced off and planted with trees
Funding has come from the Environment Agency, with support from Carrs who have supplied and contributed to the cost of equipment for the tree planting.
The new woodland will provide shelter for farm animals and places for wildlife to shelter and feed. It will also protect and stabilise the river banks, helping to reduce erosion and the amount of soil ending up in the river. The trees will also help filter any chemicals coming from the fields in wet weather. Another benefit is that it will slow the flow of rainwater running off the land and into the rivers, thereby helping to reduce the risk of flooding.
Alison Reed, River Petteril Project Officer at Eden Rivers Trust, said, “We are delighted to be working with the EA and the farmer on this project to plant these trees along the river. It will bring many benefits to the local environment.”
Oliver Southgate, Regional Manager, Northern Ambition – Environmental Projects Team said, “The River Petteril Project is a great example of partners working better together to achieve real environmental improvements on the ground. The project has already delivered huge wins for the River Petteril and Eden catchment. Long may it continue!”
