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Art trail “In Search of the Salmon” launches in the Coniston & Crake catchment Six iconic aquatic species now feature in four stonewalls around the catchment, to highlight their plight and the work that is being undertaken to conserve them. The pieces have been beautifully carved by local sculptor Danny Clahane, on slate donated by Burlington Stone and the Holker Estate. Ellie Chaney drew the original illustrations on which Danny based his work. Stonewaller Peter Watson installed the pieces at…

Given the most up to date advice from our Government relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and social distancing, we have taken the decision to cancel the tree planting event scheduled for 28th March at Water Yeat. We’re still going to be planting the trees, just not as part of an organised event. Thank you for your understanding.

There was a fantastic turnout for the nest box workshop, held in Torver on February 22nd. Thirty one boxes were made in the session attended by around forty adults and children, helped by our excellent volunteers Les, Molly & Diana. The birds of the catchment (and beyond) will have some new homes this spring. It certainly shows how interested people are in helping the wildlife around them.   The Eco-Group at Penny Bridge Academy also made six boxes so with…

Come along to our final nest box workshop on Saturday 22nd February, between 10.30am and 12.30pm at Torver Schoolroom (the Village Hall) in Torver. All materials and tools provided so make one for the project and one to take home for your garden. Suitable for adults and children, all children must be accompanied by an adult.  

Shrew success! Following surveys carried out by Envirotech Ecology consultants we are pleased to report that there is firm evidence of water shrews in the catchment. Britain’s largest shrew is semi-aquatic and is under monitored. Water shrews are active all year round so they do not hibernate. They have thicker fur than of other shrews, efficiently insulating them against wet and cold. They are particularly vulnerable to pollutants in water and river bank modifications. Water shrews have a high metabolism…

This year the project worked with a farmer to reduce sediment and phosphate inputs into the River Crake by formalising a ditch system with a Farm Constructed Wetland. Results show the wetland has  made a reduction in phosphates by 76% in the water that reaches the River Crake!   Read more on this on the activity section https://ccc.scrt.co.uk/farm-constructed-wetlands-2019/

New channel connected! The new section of beck is now connected to the main beck, whilst still allowing water to flow along the old leat. The newly restored weir looks splendid. We were particularly amazed to see the gravels that have been exposed, once the water settled down. For more on this go to the activities section https://ccc.scrt.co.uk/river-restoration-bypassing-barriers-part-2/

Work has now begun on an exciting restoration project which will allow salmon to reach further upstream of a beck for better spawning conditions. It has taken a lot of planning and negotiation over many months to help the beck follow  its natural course. Part 1 saw the new channel being dug out. Part 2 will see the new section being connected  to the existing beck and then finally tree planting will be carried out this winter to further improve…

It’s amazing to think that we’ve already reached the end of the second year of the project and are now into the final year. So far we’ve put up (or agreed to) 13kms of fencing, creating enhanced buffer strips. Volunteers have contributed twice as many days to the project and we’ve engaged with more than 850 adults and children through working with our village schools and community groups, organising a variety of events and activities and having a stand at…

Lots of freshwater fun at Hoathwaite Campsite for the Family Activity Day. Jointly hosted with the National Trust we had dipping for freshwater minibeasts, learning about water quality & testing, pebble painting and badge making. To celebrate International Year of the Salmon we made willow fish and played the Salmon Run game. Read all about the day https://ccc.scrt.co.uk/family-activity-day/