Climate emergency - you can help monitor local rivers
Autumn on the River Bray, Filleigh Photo by Karolina Andreasova
Could you be a ‘citizen scientist’? The North Devon Biosphere’s Pledge for Nature project is teaming up with the Westcountry Rivers Trust’s ‘Citizen Science Investigations’ to develop a network of people to help look after our local rivers. The Environment Agency’s most recent assessment of the ecological status of the 100 waterbodies in the Biosphere concluded that only 15 of these were in ‘good’ condition, a decline on previous surveys. “By volunteering people can monitor water quality, record wildlife and invasive species, and identify pollution sources - all of which will support our charity’s mission to restore and protect our rivers, lakes, and estuaries,” said Lydia Deacon, Westcountry CSI officer.
Iconic species like the freshwater pearl mussel are at risk of extinction in the Biosphere, and the latest studies put the Atlantic salmon as “at risk” in the Torridge and the Taw rivers. As has been seen by the recent mass fish deaths on the River Mole near South Molton, experts say the Biosphere’s rivers and streams need monitoring as they are extremely vulnerable to pollution. Mike Moser, from the Biosphere said, “Getting more ‘eyes on rivers’ will monitor river conditions and identify possible pollution.” Volunteers will be trained to take water samples and complete surveys. If you would like to help monitor and protect these vital habitats by becoming a river citizen scientist, please complete a ‘Create a Pledge’ form online: biosphere.org.uk/ pledge-for-nature/create-a-pledge (In ‘Description of Activity’ include the name of the river/stream you would be willing to monitor)
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