Red River by Victoria Brailsford, Eden Benchmark at Temple Sowerby.
Photo: Rod Ireland Photography
Dear <<First Name>>,
Welcome to our latest newsletter. In this edition, river restoration continues apace despite the challenges presented by Covid-19, beavers return to Eden and there's a round-up of latest news and views from the Trust.
Thank you, as ever, for your continued support.
The Eden Rivers Trust Team
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View from the riverbank
with Elizabeth Radford, CEO
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So we are nearly there…nearly through 2020. The year of a global pandemic; of more UK floods, of horrendous wildfires (Australia and the Russian Arctic) and of a US election. The year when climate change and Brexit deals were supposed to take centre stage …. and when Black Lives Matter actually did; global issues with much relevance to ERT.
Despite the pandemic, you will read that we have achieved substantial gains for the river this year, though we were saddened and shaken by the loss of one of our long-standing Supporters; Mr David Hodgkiss.
We have been flexible and coped with the challenge of trying to keep our volunteer and young people programmes running, whilst remaining abreast of changes in regulations. The team remains scattered but remarkably together in spirit.
Our work to manage rivers sustainably through working with natural processes is a small part of the increasingly urgent need to mitigate climate change. This message is embedded in the Eden Catchment (Action) Plan. This ambitious document, which aims for better water management in the Eden, was launched by the Eden Catchment Partnership in September with insightful commentary from Professor Dieter Helm. Time now to get those projects from paper to reality.
Like many others in our sector, we have been challenged to look more closely at our diversity and inclusivity. Are we at ERT as diverse and inclusive as we should be? Do our programmes and our organisation reflect all the communities that we are working with in the Eden and beyond?
Definitely not. We must work out how to change this for the better.
One element of this is access; we have a duty to enable access to the River Eden for all our communities. If anything, Covid has underlined how essential local green (and blue!) spaces are for our wellbeing; not a privilege for a few, but a right for everyone.
I hope the final months of 2020 are peaceful for all of you, and the New Year brings new hope as well as inevitable new challenges. We are looking forward to celebrating Eden Rivers Trust’s 25th anniversary - please do get involved with both the celebrations and helping to make us fit for purpose for the next 25!
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On track to improve rivers for people, wildlife and … trains?
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Beside the West Coast main line at Thrimby flowed a stretch of the River Leith that didn’t function as a natural river should. Historically straightened, it didn't provide good conditions for wildlife to thrive or help protect the surrounding land and buildings from flooding.
The river flowed at the foot of the embankment of a major railway line, a little too close for comfort for the 46 passenger trains and seven freight trains that go past every 24 hours - carrying essential supplies over the England-Scotland border. People depend on this service to run all year round without interruption.
Last month we completed a major river restoration partnership project with the Environment Agency, Network Rail, landowner and tenant farmer on the River Leith to tackle these issues.
Read about how we restored natural river processes to safeguard this vital transport route, address local flooding concerns and create valuable wildlife habitat in the Thrimby river restoration project >>
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Can you help us get a lotta lots?
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In May 2021, as part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations, we will be holding our very first public online auction to raise funds to support our work improving and protecting Eden's rivers.
This will replace the auction and dinner format that long-standing supporters will be familiar with.
We are keen to open up this online event to as many people as possible, whilst removing uncertainties about gatherings due to Covid-19.
Right now, we are working hard to collect auction lots – could you help us?
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Would you or your company have any products, services or experiences you would be willing to donate to ERT to be auctioned?
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We welcome any lots - large or small, quirky, beautiful or desirable items or experiences that money can’t buy.
Lots so far include a guided mountain walk with a local expert, a week in an incredible beach house in Antigua, a dinner party for 16, a tour of Lowther’s honey-making enterprise, limited edition knitwear and one-off handmade items from ERT staff, as well as several fishing opportunities.
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We would love to hear from you if you could help with lots for the online auction.
Please email Kim at office@edenrt.org or ring the office directly and speak to Elizabeth.
THANK YOU!
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After an absence of 400 years, beavers are back in Eden! Two adult beavers, a male (Glen) and female (Dragonfly), have been released into a 27-acre enclosure at Lowther Estate as part of a five-year scientific trial by the Cumbria Beaver Group.
The aim is to understand the impact of beavers in an upland environment, in particular on a stream in a farmed landscape.
Find out more about Dragonfly, Glen and the trial >>
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Photo: David Parkyn Cornwall Wildlife Trust
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Ploughlands Legacy Award
We are delighted to announce that JR (Bob Bradney) has been presented with the Ploughlands Legacy Award for his outstanding contribution to the conservation of Eden's rivers.
Find out more about Bob and The Ploughlands Legacy Award >>
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Mission accomplished!
Team Eden (aka the staff, plus assorted ERT Trustees and family and friends, walked, ran, cycled, canoed and even danced their way for 7,000 miles, raising over £5,600 in the process as part of the Motor Neurone Disease Association’s #Mission5000 fundraising campaign.
Read more about Team Eden's epic Mission 5000 challenge >>
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A chute in the right direction
There's no 'one size fits all' to our river restoration and natural flood management work.
We aim to respond to local issues and environmental needs with practical plans that will have an impact throughout the catchment.
Sometimes it means that we have the chance to do things a bit differently, such as in the Trout Beck catchment near Appleby. We have given the river 'a helping hand' here to create new wetland habitat and allow the beck to find it's own meandering route.
Read about the Trout Beck assisted recovery project >>
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The Real Hedge Fund
We love hedges (and certainly plant a lot of them!) They do so much - store carbon, reduce flooding, create homes and connected corridors for wildlife and more!
So we are supporting The Real Hedge Fund in December to raise money to plant even more hedges in Cumbria.
If you too love hedges please consider giving to The Real Hedge Fund between the 1st and the 8th of December.
It’s a Cumbrian-wide effort and if we raise £7,000 during that specific week, Cumbrian businesses have pledged to double the money!
Find out more and donate to the Real Hedge Fund >>
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Get ready to Act for Eden!
Eden's rivers are under threat ... from the way we live and use Eden's rivers.
Now is the time to Act for Eden.
We are calling upon everyone in the Eden catchment and beyond to make a promise to Act for Eden, to make a small (and painless!) change to something they do every day.
As well as making Eden’s rivers cleaner and healthier, it could also be good for your health and save you money!
Act for Eden launches on New Year's Day ... what better day to make a promise for a better world!
We'll send you an email with details on how you can make a promise to Act for Eden on 01 January 2021.
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It's tree planting season!
Our winter tree planting season kicks off at the end of this month. There are lots of trees to be planted on our recently completed conservation sites to complement the natural flood management and biodiversity measures we've put in place ... and we need your help!
Thursday 3rd December near Kirkby Thore
Saturday 5th December near Kirkby Thore
Thursday 10th December near Skirwith
Thursday 17th December tbc
Places are strictly limited and must be booked in advance in line with our Covid-safe working policy.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jenni Payne, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@edenrt.org or call the office on 01768 866788.
Photo: Stuart Walker Photography
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