Hodder Together For Salmon

Flowing through the heart of the Forest of Bowland, the River Hodder is a place with water, wildlife, and people at it’s heart. For generations, it was also a stronghold for Atlantic salmon in the Ribble catchment. A place where these remarkable fish returned year after year to spawn.

Hodder Together for Salmon is a practical river restoration and community engagement project, made possible by people who genuinely about the river and its future. Through a successful community Crowdfunder, supported by match funding from the North Atlantic Salmon Fund through the Orri Award, we raised £21,523 to help restore the river for salmon, strengthen habitats for wildlife, and reconnect communities with the Hodder.

Thanks to this amazing support, the project is now moving from planning into delivery.

Community support For Hodder Together for Salmon

An education volunteer kneels beside seven children- together they are examining invertebrates in a tray next to the River Hodder. Community engagement and education is a huge part of Hodder Together for Salmon

The Hodder Together for Salmon crowdfunder was powered by an incredible show of local support. Individuals, angling clubs, community groups, and businesses from across the Ribble Valley and beyond all backed our vision for a healthier river.

Local businesses donated gifts for giving, from experiences and vouchers to locally made products. These rewards helped bring new audiences to the project. They also highlighted the strong connections between local livelihoods, local communities, and the landscapes they depend on.

Importantly, every public donation was match funded through the Orri Award, doubling its impact. This amazing effort means we can now deliver the project in full and build a strong foundation for future restoration work on the River Hodder.

Why the River Hodder needs support

The River Hodder is one of the most important rivers in the Ribble catchment. Valued for its wildlife, its role in local communities, and its contribution to the wider river system.

Like many rivers across the UK, the Hodder has been under pressure for decades. Habitat loss, excess sediment, historic pollution, altered river processes, and the growing impacts of climate change have all left their mark. Together, these pressures have contributed to a serious decline in Atlantic salmon.

A series of stepping stones cross the river Hodder, reaching across to the opposite river bank where sheep graze. Hodder Together for Salmon has access at heart of the project.

Salmon rely on clean, well-oxygenated water, loose gravel beds for spawning, connected habitats, and cool, shaded channels. When these conditions are blocked, lost, or degraded, numbers fall.

But restoring these features doesn’t just help salmon. Healthier river habitats benefit a wide range of species as well as improving resilience to extreme weather caused by climate change, and supporting the people who live and spend time alongside the river.

What happens next?

With the project fully funded, we’re now moving into the next phase of work along the River Hodder. This includes:

  • Restoring spawning gravels. We’re already producing detailed plans to support the reintroduction and restoration of salmon spawning gravels in key areas of the river. This work will help recreate the natural conditions salmon need to reproduce successfully.
  • Citizen science and monitoring. Local people will have opportunities to get help with monitoring river health, habitats, and wildlife. Citizen science plays a vital role in building understanding of the river and shaping future restoration work.
  • Working with schools. We’ll be delivering school engagement sessions that combine classroom learning with outdoor experiences. These help young people explore rivers, wildlife, and the importance of healthy freshwater environments.
  • Engaging landowners and partners. River restoration works best through collaboration. We’re beginning conversations with landowners, angling clubs, and other delivery partners to explore opportunities for habitat improvement, access for monitoring, and long-term stewardship of the river corridor.
  • Ongoing research and development. Alongside practical planning, we’ll continue to use survey data and monitoring to refine designs, prioritise sites, and ensure the work delivers lasting benefits for wildlife and communities.

Hodder Together for Salmon; and beyond

Two people wearing waders stand in the river examining the contents of fishing net.

Hodder Together for Salmon has already proved to be more than just a Crowdfunding campaign. Going forward, it’s about building a long-term approach to caring for the River Hodder. One that is grounded in evidence, powered by community support, and focused on practical outcomes.

Additionally, this seed funding is already helping us to attract the interest of even larger grant funders. So, we’re hoping that we’ll be able to build on the initial support deliver even more benefits for our rivers.

Keep an eye out for news as we work together to support a healthier River Hodder for generations to come.

Rivers are at the heart of our local landscapes. Whether you’re casting a line, exploring a riverside trail, or simply basking in the beauty of nature, you can help protect these special places now, and for generations to come.

By becoming a Ribble Rivers Trust supporter for just £3 a month, you’ll be funding real, on-the-ground action.

Ready to make a difference? Learn more here: ribbletrust.org.uk/become-a-supporter