Essex Rivers Hub

Essex River Wardens win national award!

The Essex Wildlife Trust River Wardens have been announced as the winners of the inaugural Lynne Farrell Group Award at the National Biodiversity Network Awards for Biological Recording and Information Sharing.

The NBN national award scheme was established in partnership with the Biological Records Centre and the National Forum for Biological Recording. The awards are presented annually to individuals or organisations that are making outstanding contributions to biological recording and improving our understanding of the natural world. This year for the first time an additional category to recognise groups of people that have contributed to biological recording was added.

Two volunteer wardens from the Essex Wildlife Trust River Warden Scheme collected the award on behalf of the group and its coordinators at a reception held at the National Museums Scotland. Thanks to all of our River Wardens for for making the scheme such a success. Read more...

River Wardens feature in latest Essex Wildlife Trust Members Magazine

Essex Wildlife Trust wanted to show their member the excellent work the River Wardens are doing across Essex by asking a few Wardens from across the county to share their views on the project and get some photos of them in action. Read more...

Native Crayfish - Good News for Essex

Last year we reported our concerns for the only known river population of the native White-clawed Crayfish in Essex. Read more...

Wivenhoe Rivercare Group

Here is an account from Wivenhoe Canoe and Kayak Club about how they joined forces with Rivercare to improve the Colne.

Friday 24th June 2016

The benefit of Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems to reduce flooding

The Stroud District Council recently produced an informative film detailing the technical principles of Natural Flood Management on small streams and their catchments. Various techniques and designs are explored, with the aim of maximising benefits for biodiversity and water quality, whilst reducing the risks of flooding. The film can be found here, in the 'Videos' section of the Essex Rivers Hub.

Wednesday 25th May 2016

The return of the lamprey

The elusive sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, is perhaps the oldest known vertebrate, without having changed much in the last 360 million years. As with many other species, human activity has had negative impacts on their reproductive behaviour and thus their population in many habitats. However, lampreys are beginning to reappear in the Great Ouse, Trent, Derwent and Wear rivers due to conservation efforts to retain their status.

You can read more about these fascinating creatures here, in an interesting article published by the Guardian. 

Wednesday 25th May 2016