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Ribble Rivers Trust Blog
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Spider season is here, but what other minibeasts can you find?
September to October is spider season. The creepy crawlies can be found around our homes, and you can often spot their webs glistening in the morning dew. But why do we see so many spiders in autumn, and what other minibeasts can we find at this time of year? Most spider species in the UK…
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From drought to deluge; the relationship between floods and fish in the Ribble
For the a number of years the UK, and more specifically the Ribble catchment, has experienced low rainfall in the summers, followed by severe flooding in winter. During these years there has also been a drop in the numbers of juvenile fish in the Ribble’s river catchment. Today’s blog comes courtesy of Rob Starkie, who…
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Collecting conkers and conker facts
It’s officially conker season! These glossy brown seeds and their spiky green cases can be found across the country, and every September children start collecting conkers, hunting for the very best specimens. Did you know that conkers are the seeds of a horse chestnut tree? These trees are easily recognisable thanks to their large hand…
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7 fruits to forage this autumn equinox
Today is the autumn equinox. This means that the night and the day are equal in length, and that from now on the days will get shorter, and the nights longer. The equinox was a special time for our ancestors. The equinox represented balance in life, the end of a (hopefully) bountiful harvest season, and…
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Using data and evidence for conservation
With so many opportunities to improve our rivers for nature and people, Ribble Rivers Trust often uses mapped data and evidence for conservation. Leanne Tough, our data and evidence trainee, explains more. I joined Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT) as a trainee in November 2020 through the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership (PHLP). The PHLP have helped…
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Panaz: supporting local woodlands
Panaz and Ribble Rivers Trust are proud to announce our exciting new partnership! This partnership promises to deliver on the ground environmental projects in Lancashire. Plus, it will also support Britain’s Green Canopy as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The partnership will see the equivalent of one tree sapling planted in Lancashire for every…
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Sloe gin; where to find sloes and what to do with them
It might seem a little early to be thinking about this winter staple, but early autumn is the perfect time to hunt for sloes. By foraging for sloes and making your sloe gin or cordial now you can guarantee you have a plentiful supply of festive drinks. Firstly, what is a sloe? Sloes are the…
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Five signs of autumn
Summer is coming to an end, and next week astronomical autumn officially starts. As nature prepares for one last burst of colour and energy before winter, here are five signs of autumn to look out for. Seeds Throughout autumn many native trees lose their leaves and their seeds. Conkers, acorns, and beech masts are all…
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Asian Hornet Week 2021
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is calling on the public not to be complacent about the Asian Hornet. In spite of last year, when there were very few reported sightings, insects are no respectors of a pandemic and if conditions are right we could find nests or sightings as the leaves fall off the trees…
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Ribble Rivers Trust partnership secures a grant of £660,100 from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund
A partnership project led by Ribble Rivers Trust has been awarded a grant of £660,100 from the £40 million second round of the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, a multi-million pound boost for green jobs and nature recovery. Ninety nature projects across England have been awarded grants from £68,100 to £1,950,000 to create and retain…
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Lancashire electronic recyclers helping to revive local rivers and plant trees
An exciting new partnership has been created to help revive Lancashire’s rivers, woodlands, and wildlife. Recycle IT, one of the UK’s leading IT disposal and asset management providers, have joined forces with Ribble Rivers Trust as their latest corporate supporter. The Burnley based company already has the environment and a circular economy at the heart…
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New research reveals ‘disconnect’ between litter and marine plastic
Blackburn with Darwen residents encouraged to take the Plastic Challenge this August to tackle plastic pollution New research has revealed that many people in Blackburn with Darwen and across the North West might not be aware that plastic litter in towns and cities can end up in the Irish Sea, harming the environment and marine…
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#RiverRevival
It’s time to show your river some love with a #RiverRevival. It’s been a tough year of isolation, restriction, and stress, but summer is here and it’s time to get outside, enjoy the sun, and immerse yourself in nature. Rivers and green spaces have been a lifeline for the last 16 months, helping to keep…
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Penwortham craft gin boosting local Lancashire woodlands
Ribble Rivers Trust are proud to announce that No.1 Fairham Gin have joined forces with the Trust as part of a new partnership. Penwortham based No.1 Fairham Gin have already made a splash in the gin industry with Liam Stemson and Ellis McKeown, thought to be two of the UK’s youngest gin distillers, at the…
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Fishing fun for Ribble Valley schools
Two Ribble Valley schools are taking part in specially designed ‘Introduction to Fishing’ sessions with the Ribble Rivers Trust. St Mary’s, Chipping and Brennand’s Endowed, Slaidburn will take part in the sessions, which begin on Bashall Brook, near Waddington, before moving on to fish the Rivers Hodder and Ribble. Planned and part funded by the…
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River restoration by Ribble Valley pupils
Four schools from Burnley are to take part in Himalayan balsam pulling sessions in and around Towneley Park this summer. This is just one of many activities that the local schools have undertaken in the Park as part of Ribble Rivers Trust’s long-term initiative to engage with local children and encourage them, and their families,…
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World Oceans Day- rivers and seas
Our planets oceans currently cover around 70% of the Earth’s surface, contain 97% of the Earth’s water, and support over 230,000+ known species. Today is World Oceans Day, and as we know all our rivers eventually make their way to the sea, but do you know just how heavily linked they are? Did you know,…
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Invasive species week
Did you know that invasive non native species cost the UK economy around £1.8 billion a year? There are around 2,000 non-native plants and animals that have been introduced to the UK by human activities, and whilst not all of these are harmful, approximately 10-15% become invasive. These plants and animals negatively impact our economy,…
