Blog

Second year in the LIFE of…

17 January, 2024 by Rachael Halhead

The project This 5-year project which will finish in 2026, aims to restore the River Kent Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). How? Through habitat improvement works largely focusing on providing habitats suitable for fish (including salmon and trout), freshwater pearl mussels and white-clawed crayfish. The project has four partners: Natural England, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Freshwater Biological Association and the Environment Agency. Our objectives are very clear – monitor, conserve, protect, rehabilitate and…

River Stories; Education and engagement

7 December, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

By Kath Smith, our Community and Engagement Officer Nature is in crisis. Connecting more people of all ages to rivers, lakes and the wider environment has never been more important. So how do SCRT do this? Through education and engagement with nature and our freshwater environments. Sharing our knowledge and love for freshwater is key to helping people understand what is special about our rivers and lakes as well as the pressures they face. From knowledge comes understanding, from understanding…

Navigating the River of Responsibility: Chronicles of a New Trustee at SCRT

30 November, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

By Andrew Gardner Embarking on the role of a new trustee at South Cumbria Rivers Trust (SCRT) is a journey akin to navigating the intricate twists and turns of a river. With a commitment to restoring rich, healthy rivers and lakes for nature and the people of South Cumbria, this unique role is both an honour and a responsibility. My first twelve months as a trustee has been an interesting journey filled with challenges and triumphs. This blog delves into…

Eel passes

16 November, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

By Hannah Teagle – Project Officer The European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) is widely distributed throughout Europe but starts its life 4000 miles away in the Sargasso Sea. Soon after hatching as transparent ‘glass eels’, they start the journey towards Europe using the Gulf Stream. Once in Europe (if they make it) the eels enter the freshwater system, growing into elvers in becks and rivers where they can remain from 5 to 20 years! The last stage of their life is…

Follow Oliver’s travels

24 October, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

Hello I’m Oliver and I have recently joined SCRT as a Water Scientist. My role will be to support the other members of the team, particularly around data collection and analysis, bringing the understanding and experience I developed through my degree. Over my first two months, I have certainly been putting many of these skills and techniques into practice, as well as learning about where and how the Trust operates. Having visited various parts of South Cumbria on holiday over…

Pulling Himalayan balsam when in seed

27 September, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

One question that’s been brought up this year is ‘shouldn’t you leave Himalayan Balsam (HB) once it’s gone to seed?’ With anything in life, the answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. Once HB has started to form its mature seed pods it should be treated more carefully. So, here is our handy information pack about the methods we use, when and why to pull HB in seed, the risks and how to reduce them. Our Method: How to conduct…

Identifying Invasives with Sammy: HB

2 August, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

Himalayan Balsam: an invasive species Himalayan balsam (HB) is seen to be a beautiful plant, by some. The Victorians certainly took a shine to it and brought it to England, to put in their gardens. Little did they know the damage this plant would cause in the years following. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an annual, meaning that each plant will grow each year, set seed and then die off. The problem is in the number of seeds it produces…

Work experience is all go, go, go!

13 July, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

Hello there, I’m Ruby. Over the past few days, I’ve tagged along with the team here at SCRT as part of my work experience. Firstly, I want to say thank you, often work experience can involve making tea and sorting out the cupboard. But that is miles away from what I have been up to. From e-fishing to marking up trees for leaky dams, I have glimpsed the breadth of the work done here at SCRT. One thing I found…

Eels in the Classroom

6 July, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

Eels in the Classroom This two-year project, supported by BAE Systems and United Utilities has now come to an end, well, nearly….. Fitting alongside some practical delivery work in the Barrow and Furness area to improve fish migration, the project was set up to give four schools an amazing opportunity to learn about a critically endangered species, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and about our rivers too. We took advice from other river trusts and the Sustainable Eel Group (SEG)…

Identifying Invasives with Sammy

5 July, 2023 by Rachael Halhead

Hi, my name is Sammy. I’m a recent graduate of animal conservation science. Having studied for three years, plus a placement year, at the University of Cumbria, I have been recently employed by South Cumbria Rivers Trust as an invasive non-native species coordinator. This means I will work with various people to get rid of invasive species that aren’t from the UK that are causing huge negative impacts to our local species, ecosystem and wildlife. The areas I’m working in…