Author | Lightnews

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 10d

Something exciting is taking shape on Derwent Water 👀 We’re working with the National Trust & artist Daniel Weatheritt on a new sculpture project – part of a bigger WCRT Watery Walk coming soon. Our Youth Panel’s been helping dream it up… watch this space!

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 15d

Tackling Japanese Knotweed at its source 🌱 With Environment Agency permission we’re using a water-safe, targeted herbicide (blue dye shows treated areas). This invasive INNS spreads fast and can damage riverbanks – careful, timely management protects our rivers.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 16d

A wild first week for our apprentices! 🌿 From peat probes on the Thirlmere fells ⛰️ to moss ID at Glasson Moss 🌱, a Bioblitz at Walkmill 🪰, and bat boxes at Westogether 🦇 – they’ve been busy learning, surveying and scything their way into conservation life! 💪

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 17d

At Longlands Lake we thought a teddy bear was wedged in an owl box… until a Tawny Owl flew out! 🦉 Huge thanks to Robert Stephenson, whose species-tailored boxes are already proving a hit on the west coast. Got one at home? Share your owl pics!

Is that a stuffed toy in the owl box in the tree!?

No it's a real Tawny Owl keeping incredibly still and keeping an eye on us!

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 20d

🌿 14–18? Join our Youth Panel & be a voice for Cumbria’s rivers & lakes! Tree planting, creative workshops, leadership meetings – make an impact & learn new skills. 📩 [email protected]

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 22d

It’s time for urgent action to safeguard the Lake District’s rivers for nature, people & future generations – and to back the farmers who want to be part of the solution.

Read more 👉 www.cnp.org.uk/wp-content/u...

#LakeDistrict #ProtectOurRivers

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 22d

The report calls for:
✅ Upgrading sewage works in National Parks
✅ Stronger action on farm pollution with real financial support for farmers
✅ Tougher legal water targets for National Parks

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 22d

Farmers are crucial allies in protecting rivers. Many want to work with nature – but funding cuts mean they’re left with little support. Closure of SFI24 has left businesses in limbo, with few incentives for biodiversity, soil health or water quality.

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 22d

Main reasons for failure?
🌾 Agriculture & rural land management: 47.6%
🚰 Water industry (sewage infrastructure): 28.6%

These rivers should be among the cleanest in the country. Instead, they’re being failed by weak protections.

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 22d

🚨 New research shows the Lake District’s rivers are in trouble.
42% fail legal ecological standards. In 2024 alone, sewage spilled for 25,800+ hours – 573 hrs per overflow, more than double the national average.

#ProtectOurRivers #LakeDistrict

Image of a branch with a watercourse in the background

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 22d

🤝 Last week saw the first Cumbria-wide meet-up of trustees & CEOs from WCRT, @EdenRiversTrust, @SCRiversTrust & @LuneRiversTrust. Site visit at Bowberhead, then pies & big chats at the Fat Lamb. Such a success we’ll now meet every 6 months! #RiversTrusts #PartnershipWorking

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · 27d

💧 Our #rivers are in crisis – polluted, overheated & stripped of natural features. We’ve hit 7.5k petition signatures but need 10k for a govt response. Add your name & help restore our rivers: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...

A WCRT staff member looks out over a river

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 22

Fishy business on the River Calder 🐟
We recently carried out a fish rescue on the River Calder, carefully moving fish to safety before work begins at a construction site. This was delivered as part of our consultancy services – Find out more here: www.westcumbriariverstrust.org/consultancy

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 19

🌿 Last week’s herbal leys farm walk was a hit! Thanks to James Bretherton (AgScope), Richard Henderson & Liz’s Country Kitchens for the tips, demos & tasty treats. Great insights for anyone managing grassland on how to reduce input costs, boost soil health & increase yields.

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 12

🌿 We’ve made new wildlife ponds at High Leys Meadow Ponds & Wetlands, Loweswater!
These three new ponds will create diverse habitats and enhance the wetland. Thanks to FiPL for funding & Tom Lindsey for the works! 🐸🦆

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 12

✍️ Please sign the petition to restore funding and protect our rivers: www.makingspaceforwater.com

Making Space for Water

We’re calling on the UK government to make #SpaceForWater by urgently supporting farmers and landowners to create and maintain a network of nature-rich river corridors.

www.makingspaceforwater.com

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 12

But this isn’t just Cumbria – across the country, river restoration funding has been gutted.

📺 Watch from 05:43 (until 7pm tonight): www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Look North (North East and Cumbria) - Evening News: 11/09/2025

The latest news, sport and weather for the North East and Cumbria.

www.bbc.co.uk

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 12

CRRP isn’t just any programme – it’s the most awarded of all:
🏆 5 UK River Prizes
🌍 Current European River Prize
🎥 Finalist in the Thiess International River Prize (the ‘Oscars of the environment’).

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 12

Obligations to improve rivers aren’t being met. Environment Agency staff are as constrained as charities like ours, unable to deliver the river & habitat improvements that are urgently needed.

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 12

Last night our AD Luke Bryant spoke on BBC Look North about the devastating cuts to river restoration funding.

💧 Gov support has been slashed by 96% for our work & 87% for the Cumbria River Restoration Programme.

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 10

💧 Healthy rivers slow the flow, cut flood risk, store carbon & connect people with nature. Sign the petition to call for proper investment in river restoration: theriverstrust.org/making-space-for-water

Making Space for Water

Modified, polluted, and unable to keep pace with our changing climate, our damaged rivers need space to recover. Get behind the campaign, add your name to…

theriverstrust.org

West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 10

Cumbria’s rivers need us. 83% of rivers in the Lake District are severely modified & only 1% of floodplains are healthy wetlands. Cuts have slashed funding by 96% for our trust – the future of river restoration is at risk. #RiverRestoration #HealthyRivers

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 10

We’re proud to have been finalists for Thiess International River Prize – the Oscars of the environment – with our brilliant partners @edenriverstrust @southcumbriariverstrust Ullswater Catchment CIC, @nationaltrust.org.uk The Environment Agency @naturalengland & @defrauk - it's a huge accolade!

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 8

This summer we welcomed two Lancaster Uni interns for 3 weeks of hands-on conservation 🌿 They helped with electrofishing, balsam bashing & data work, and we got the most lovely thank-you card! Huge thanks & best of luck in your next adventures! #Conservation #Volunteers

Our other Intern Bing with volunteers electrofishing in the river

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West Cumbria Rivers Trust @westcumbriart.bsky.social · Sep 8

This summer, over 1,000 volunteer hours went into balsam bashing across 93 hectares. At most sites we’ve now reached the furthest ever extents - making an impact at the source of our headwater sites. 🌿 It's a big challenge but we're not afraid to chip away until the Derwent catchment is HB free!

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