A major collaborative project involving the Environment Agency and Eden Rivers Trust has scooped a national prize at an awards ceremony in London hosted by the Wild Trout Trust.
The partnership conservation project to improve the River Petteril in north Cumbria beat off stiff competition to be crowned the winner of the Wild Trout Trust’s Conservation Awards’ Professional Category.
The project was cited as a fantastic example of teamwork to benefit the community – and fish populations.
The River Petteril in the Eden Valley was once renowned for its trout fishing and was known locally as the “Jewel in Eden’s crown”. Unfortunately the Petteril has declined over the years until it was identified by the Environment Agency as being “poor” in terms of water quality and its fish populations.
An Environment Agency initiative – called the Evidence and Measures project – identified the problems with the river, the possible causes and what could be done about them. This was a partnership approach with Eden Rivers Trust, Natural England and the Highways Agency. It looked at all the available information on the River Petteril and led to agreement on what action was needed.
Pollution was identified as a major problem, arising from various sources such as farms, roads, inadequate sewage systems and domestic septic tanks. Eden Rivers Trust has worked with the farmers around the Petteril to address some of these issues. Much work has focused on reducing the amount of animal waste being washed in to watercourses.
Examples of the work undertaken include improving drainage and guttering around farm yards and buildings, and putting roofs over manure stores and farm yards. Farm tracks and yards have been upgraded and rain water collection systems installed.
More than 5km of river bank has been fenced to prevent farm animals from reaching the river. Over 2,000 trees have been planted along the River Petteril to stabilise the banks and allow more wildlife to feed and breed in the river.
Several barriers in the river, for example culverts under roads and railways lines, which prevent fish from migrating upstream, have also been altered to enable fish populations to expand.
The Wild Trout Trust is a conservation charity that seeks to improve habitat for trout across the UK and Ireland. Its Conservation Awards recognise and encourage excellence in the management and conservation of wild trout habitat, celebrating the efforts, skills and ingenuity of projects carried out both by professionals and grass roots voluntary organisations.
In deciding the winners the judges’ criteria included; assessing the projects’ impact on wild trout, sustainability and after care management, the value for money and value to other wildlife.
Oliver Southgate, Environment Agency Project Manager, said: “Winning awards for our project work is always great. Especially as this project is a good example of how we can deliver more for the environment by working better with our partners.”
Simon Johnson, Director of Eden Rivers Trust, said: “We are delighted to have received this award, which recognises the achievements and benefits of this collaborative way of working. None of this would have been possible without the fantastic support and commitment of the local farming community. The project will benefit all those concerned with the river and its surroundings, and make it a better place for people and wildlife.”
