Welcome to the Spring 2021 Newsletter!
News, events and more from the Westcountry Rivers Trust citizen science investigation.
#WestcountryCSI
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News
We are delighted to say that following the lifting of the 'stay at home' order, volunteers will be able to resume full Westcountry CSI surveys - including water testing - from 29th March 2021.
It is important to adhere to the Government's current Coronavirus restrictions which include staying local as much as possible, minimising the number of journeys you make, staying 2m apart from anyone who is not in your household and not meeting in groups of more than 6 from any number of households.
Please be mindful of others when carrying out your surveys and consider wearing a face-covering if sampling from a narrow footpath where social distancing might be compromised.
Thanks so much for your patience over the last few months, and thanks to those of you that have been able to submit observational surveys in that time.
There have been many welcome signs of Spring these past few weeks. It is great to see colour returning to the river bank and longer brighter days. It has also been good to see so many of you logging your observational surveys whilst out on your daily exercise over the winter lockdown.
  
Thank you to Su, Liz and Alan for the pictures.
We have had a real surge in interest in the Westcountry CSI scheme since the start of the year. With our aim of covering each waterbody in the Westcountry with a volunteer, it is encouraging to see that there is so much enthusiasm to get involved in monitoring of local waterways.
Updates are coming beginning of May! We will of course advise you all when these updates will be made.
Due to high demand, we are changing our kit distribution policy so that kits are sent out once a month. Therefore, please be patient if you are expecting a kit and please make sure you have given your name and address so that you are on the waiting list.
A reminder that if you are able to contribute to the cost of your kit (£25) you can donate via the Westcountry Rivers Trust website. Make sure to email csi@wrt.org.uk so that we can ensure the funds are directed towards Westcountry CSI.
We are busy producing the inaugural Westcountry CSI scorecards for 2020. It is great to be able to visualise and present the data that you have all put so much time and effort into obtaining.
The scorecards are being produced for waterbodies (as per the Environment Agency waterbodies) that have 12 or more surveys taken over 2020. They take into account; the wildlife and problem plants seen, the evidence of sustained and recent pollution and the water quality results, to give an overall score for the waterbody.
If your waterbody is one of those getting a scorecard, you will get a sneak preview over the coming month before it is released.
The first scorecard, which is for the Lower Culm, has been released. Please click here to view.
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Have you joined our Facebook page yet? It is a great place to share thoughts, stories and pictures about your local river. You may even discover who else samples in your catchment.
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CSI Profile.....
Ted
Ted samples on the Madford Brook and Stentwood Stream in the Culm catchment in East Devon and started Westcountry CSI through the Connecting the Culm project.
Ted started Westcountry CSI to help him complete is Duke of Edinburgh award but has so enjoyed it that he is carrying on with it longer term!
Thanks for all your surveys so far Ted and great to hear you are enjoying the monitoring.
Hear more from Ted in this video he did for Connecting the Culm:
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We would love to hear from you if you would like to share your CSI story, please let us know at csi@wrt.org.uk.
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Wildlife Watch...Dipper
Dipper's are a frequent sight next to our rivers and waterways. They feed on aquatic insects by walking straight into, and under, the water!
They will be replacing Mink on the CSI survey form in this year's updates.
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Photo: From The Wildlife Trusts ©Andy Rouse/2020VISION
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Did you know that there is a whole page on the Westcountry Rivers Trust website produced by our education officer, Shona dedicated to fun river themed activities for kids (and adults!)?
Make your own River Food chain here.
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Pollution Spotting
It can be tricky to know when you are looking at a source of pollution when out taking a Westcountry CSI survey. Should it count if you know that cattle have access to the river further upstream? Where does that pipe drain from?
Firstly remember that your survey reflects the CURRENT conditions at your SAMPLE SITE. Even if you know, for example, that occasionally there is soil runoff from the surrounding fields only mark this if it is happening at the time of doing your survey. Some of the pollution sources (such as farm runoff (slurry/silage)) can have quiet severe immediate impacts on a watercourse so it is important you know what these pollution sources can look like.
Secondly if you are unsure of anything, take a picture, upload it with your survey and write comments in the notes section.
We have several handy guides to help you with your surveys. Check out our pollution guide here.
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Events
March has been a busy month for us at the Trust so apologies for the lack of webinar. Look out for details of our April webinar later in the month.
We will also be having an online CSI training event. This will be open to all whether you have just joined CSI or need a refresher. Details to follow.
If there is a topic you would like to hear about in one of our webinars, make sure to let us know!
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Hemlock Water Dropwort
Although a native plant to British rivers it is important to be aware that Hemlock Water Dropwort is extremely poisonous and should not be touched whilst carrying out a survey!
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That being said, it is an important part of the aquatic biodiversity in our rivers and is not a 'problem plant' in that respect.
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We have had two CSI webinars already this year. The first on microplastics by Florence Parker-Jurd of the University of Plymouth and the second from Ian Townsend on Sediment. Both can be foun on Westcountry Rivers Trust YouTube channel.
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Projects
Now restrictions have eased we are pushing to cover the tributaries of the Culm with CSI volunteers so we can get enough data for each waterbody to have a scorecard!
If you or someone you know live in the River Culm catchment? Westcountry Rivers Trust are working with Blackdown Hills AONB to deliver the Connecting the Culm project. To find out more visit the website.
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It's great to see a few CSI volunteers start their monitoring in North West Plymouth under the project. We are also continuing with our routine monthly monitoring throughout the Tamerton catchment.
We would love your help in spreading the word about Plymouth River Keepers, if you live in this area or know of anyone who does, send them our way! Visit the website for more information.
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- Preventing Plastic Pollution
We are continuing with our hotspot mapping of litter in the Tamar catchment and looking forward to starting community cleans and getting others involved in the project when restrictions allow.
Find out more about the project by visiting the website.
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THANK YOU
As ever we really appreciate the time and effort that is put into Westcountry CSI by all of you. Keep up the great work and keep on spreading the word about our water environments!
Sign up to our Westcountry Rivers Trust newsletter to hear more from the wider trust.
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