Our BLOG
Ribble Rivers Trust Blog
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Woodlands and Rivers: The Woodland Creation Cycle
Autumn is here, and that can only mean one thing- it’s time to start thinking about woodland creation! If you’re new to Ribble Rivers Trust then you might wonder, why does a Rivers Trust spends so much time planting trees? The answer is simple. If rivers are the heart of the natural world, connecting habitats…
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Upper Storth Gill Beck De-culvert and Wetlands
We’re excited to share the successful completion our Upper Storth Gill Beck de-culvert and wetlands; a project that combines habitat creation with flood management. This innovative scheme features three ponds and a small section of de-culverting, designed to boost biodiversity and improve water flow across the local landscape. What have we achieved at Upper Storth…
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Lower Storth Gill Beck De-Culverting
Lower Storth Gill Beck, near Giggleswick, North Yorkshire is in the upper part of the Ribble Catchment. It’s an area that remains fairly natural, thanks in part to the lower populations and agricultural land use. However, like many watercourses in the area, Lower Storth Gill Beck has been straightened and culverted, which is far from…
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What Is A Mast Year And What Does It Mean For Our Woodlands?
If you’ve been out and about over the last couple of months, you’ve probably noticed that our trees are packed full of berries and branches are weighed down with fruits, seeds, and nuts. That’s because 2025 is shaping up to be a mast year. This is a special event that only happens every few years,…
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River Catchments: How They Work and Why They Matter
Ribble Rivers Trust is on a mission to protect and restore the wonderful waterways that wind their way through our landscapes. But what exactly are iver catchments, and why are they important? If you’ve ever heard us referring to the Ribble catchment or a catchment-based approach and found yourself a little confused, you’re in the…
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Planting for the Future at Fishwick Bottoms
The city of Preston and the surrounding towns and villages have faced flooding for centuries, caused by a combination of tidal flows moving upstream from the sea and excessive rainwater flowing downstream. Over the years, a series of flood defences have helped to reduce this risk. However, as the city continues to grow, and climate…
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Water Safety: our guide to river safety
The Ribble catchment is a fantastic place to explore, especially when the sun’s shining! From wild swimming to paddling, kayaking to fishing, our rivers, lakes, and streams offer something for everyone. But where there’s water, there’s risk, so we want to make sure you’re well prepared for safe wild swimming- even if you didn’t set…
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Cow Ark wetlands; creating spaces for nature, and room for rivers
Nestled in the beautiful Ribble Valley, a small patch of land in Cow Ark is now home to a thriving new network of wetlands, wader scrapes, woodlands, and hedgerows thanks to a major restoration project funded through the Room For Rivers: River Revival programme of work. Until recently, much of this land was made up…
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How to Save Water in the Garden, and Help Wildlife Too!
When it comes to making your garden more wildlife-friendly, planting wildflowers, adding a pond, or leaving areas to grow naturally can all make a big difference. But there’s one essential resource that’s often overlooked- water. Why saving water matters Even in damp and rainy Lancashire, our gardens consume a surprising amount of water. If that…
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Hot Weather, Low Water: Why Droughts Are Bad News for Fish
It’s certainly been a hot, dry year so far and whilst many of us welcome a sunny spell, this prolonged dry period is taking a serious toll on our rivers. There is no denying that the UK is experiencing more frequent and intense weather extremes. Climate change is already making droughts more common in the…
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Planning on making a splash? What You Need to Know About Bathing Waters
When the sun’s shining and temperatures soar, there’s nothing more refreshing than a dip in your local river or a paddle at the seaside. But before you head to the water’s edge, it’s worth asking an important question: is it safe to swim here? In the Ribble catchment, several sites have been officially designated as…
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Exploring the Depths: Electrofishing for Conservation
Ribble Rivers Trust strive to protect and restore the Ribble catchment’s rivers, and understanding the intricate dynamics of our river ecosystems is a huge, and very important part of our work. One technique that plays a crucial role in our data collecting efforts is electrofishing. Electrofishing is a technique widely used by scientists and fisheries…
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Riverbank Revival: A Journey Toward Community Transformation
We’re thrilled to share the remarkable progress of our Riverbank Revival project in Blackburn with Darwen! Our journey began with a passionate crowdfunding campaign aimed at creating a greener, happier, and more connected community. Thanks to the support of our generous backers, we’ve successfully raised significant funding that has enabled us to engage with various…
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Press Release; Trout in The Classroom Deliveres Another Fin-tastic Term in Lancashire Schools
Pupils across Lancashire have been waving goodbye to their fishy classmates as another successful term of Ribble Rivers Trust’s Trout in the Classroom project comes to a close. This spring, 13 primary schools across the Ribble catchment took part in the hands-on education programme, giving more than 440 Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2…
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Press Release; Ribble Rivers Trust Celebrates End of Tree Planting Season with 60,000 Trees Planted Across Lancashire
Ribble Rivers Trust has concluded its latest tree planting season, with over 60,000 native trees planted across 100 acres of land within the Ribble Catchment, marking one of their most successful years to date. This work has been made possible thanks to the help of the Trust’s dedicated volunteers, who have worked tirelessly through rain,…
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PRESS RELEASE: The Big River Watch is Back!
The Big River Watch returns! Members of the public are once again invited to participate in The Big River Watch, the only citizen science survey dedicated to monitoring the health of rivers across the UK and Ireland which has seen nearly 12,000 people take part since the inaugural event in September 2023. The upcoming survey…
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Small Garden Changes, Big Wildlife Wins!
This bank holiday weekend, why not make the most of your outdoor space and make your garden more wildlife friendly? Whether you’ve got a sprawling lawn, a cosy courtyard, or a beautiful urban balcony, there are plenty of small, simple changes you can make that could have a big impact for local wildlife. After all,…
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The Big Give Green Match Fund
Our rivers are facing a crisis. Pollution, habitat destruction, and poor water quality threaten the health of the River Ribble and its tributaries. But there’s good news: you can help turn the tide! From the 22nd April to the 29th April, Ribble Rivers Trust is taking part in The Big Give Green Match Fund a…
