Staff will work with landowners to implement sustainable practices to reduce river pollution from excess nutrients and soil run-off. They will also collaborate on improving riverside habitats, increasing wildlife connectivity through the landscape and carrying out work to help river wildlife better adapt to climate change. This will include planting trees and areas of woodland alongside rivers to stabilise river banks and provide shade and in other areas creating grassland buffers between arable fields and rivers. There is also scope for planting new hedgerows and converting arable land to permanent pasture within the catchment which can help to prevent flooding, reduce soil and nutrient pollution entering the river and provide habitat for wildlife. The Trust’s team of land advisors will support landowners to apply for environmental management schemes such as Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive.

The project includes an initial programme of river surveys to allow the team to gain a better understanding of the impact of poor water quality and adverse weather on river wildlife, with a specific focus on the smaller tributaries of the Lugg such as the Lime and Lingen Brooks.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of Nature Recovery Claire Spicer said:

“It’s great to be starting a new project of practical actions to tackle the issues that are blighting our rivers. We want to see iconic species such as white-clawed crayfish, water crowfoot and dippers become a common sight in our streams and rivers once again. We’re so pleased to have so many landowners keen to collaborate with us on this project.  We also have a group of enthusiastic volunteers involved who can now play an active part in recovering our rivers.”

Emma Whitehouse, Wye Catchment Coordinator for the Environment Agency’s West Midlands Environment Programme Team says:

“We know that the water quality and ecological health of the River Lugg catchment needs to improve. Solutions will take time and must be founded on a strong evidence base, in partnership with other organisations, that is why we are delighted to be working Herefordshire Trust to lead the recovery of river wildlife species and ecosystems.”