As with all our projects, this one had an end date but it’s impact will be long lasting.
We had a great final summer of delivery in the Glenderamackin catchment marked by the restoration of 3 pond/wetland areas and a long length of riparian fencing along the Glenderamackin River.
We’ve also continued our work on Invasive Non Native Species removal including Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed as well as continuing our long standing electro fishing programme – the results which help us target our funding applications and show positive results of our work. For example, during our e-fish surveys, we found 7 trout fry upstream of this fish easement project [see photos below of before and after]. We didn’t find any when we carried out the pre-surveys. Fantastic stuff!
We’re very grateful to have received funding from the Water Environment Grant programme through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, in partnership with the Environment Agency and Natural England. Since 2019, this funding has been vital to help us deliver many great projects with farmers, local contractors, partners and volunteers to help address multiple issues affecting the River Glenderamackin and its tributaries. These include projects to improve water quality, slow the flow, improve biodiversity, remove physical modifications and improve salmonid habitat.
The benefits of these projects will be felt in the catchment for years to come. Farmers are keen to do more and we want to continue to work with them to deliver even more great outcomes for the river and the whole catchment. Working with the Rivers Trust and Nature Finance, we’re developing a new private investment project, ‘Resilient Glenderamackin’ with thanks to funding from Defra’s Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund. We hope this project will allow us to significantly upscale delivery whilst exploring a new model for delivery such as providing some incentives for hosting interventions in the right place. This will help create sustainable farm businesses whilst paying for public goods including reducing flood risk to downstream communities and improving water quality. We hope to release more information about this in the new year.
