action
 
Project Action

The Westcountry Rivers Trust prides itself on being an action orientated organisation which aims to utilise available funding streams to deliver as many outputs as possible as efficiently as possible.

Cornwall Rivers Project will deliver many outputs during its 4 year life. Listed below are details relating to the key project targets and progress achieved against these targets so far (updated June 2005).

Target
Production and distribution of 7 issues of a project newsletter
Production and distribution of project promotional leaflets (1000 copies)
Set up and maintain an up to date website dedicated solely to the project, showing details of project activities, events and educational information
Distribution of interactive education packs to schools, youth groups and summer workshops (5000 packs)
Provide advice, guidance and training on integrated land management to 866 farmers, landowners and riparian owners on an individual basis, encompassing environmental protection and riverine rehabilitation and the development of sustainable practices, new enterprises and employment
Develop 130 Best Farming Practice Information Sheets on range of topics to be distributed to landowners and river managers in conjunction with the whole farm plans.
Fence 135km of vulnerable riverbanks / watercourses with provision for controlled stock drinking
Protect 200km of river bank through advice detailed in a farm management plan
Construction of 19 culverts, diversions and interceptors
Reduction / control of 86 sites of accelerated erosion
Develop 8 demonstration sites that encourage technology transfer and education
Improve 33 salmonid spawning fords and juvenile sites
Clear 66 stretches of streams from obstructions / log jams
Cut and clear 50 areas of riverbank, trees, branches and vegetation to provide angler access paths and casting areas
Develop / create 6 access points for disabled anglers at key sites
Provide 11 farm / river walks (attended by a total of 120 people
Provide 1 demonstration site with disabled access
Facilitation of 47 presentations to community groups (including schools and youth groups).
Reduce soil loss, through erosion on 379 farms, saving a total of 2320 tonnes over 666 farms.
Progress to date
7 with the final newsletter issued in the autumn/winter of 2005.
Completed for first phase; a new leaflet was developed to include the new target areas and was distributed at farmers markets, supply stores, land agents, agricultural shows, and door to door within the catchments. You can download your own copy of the leaflet, by clicking here.
Complete.
Interactive education CDs were sent to all schools in Cornwall and have been extremely well received, and are also available online (click here to view online) or by contacting the Trust Office.
Over 870 farms and landholdings have been visited and have received written advice.
A full directory of 130 Information Sheets has been developed with unique costings and helpful tips for saving money while improving the farm environment.
169 km of fencing had been installed by the end of the project to exceed this target.
Over 1300 km of stream and riverbanks have been surveyed during the project and advised upon.
20 completed, ranging from installing a soak-away for vehicle washing down areas to relaying undersized culverts that were causing local flooding and soil erosion problems.
91 completed; these have entailed hardening stock drinking areas to moving gateways that were focussing runoff and causing serious soil erosion in down-slope fields.
8 complete to date. Click here to view the demonstration site locations.
46 completed, exceeding the target by year 3. Many of these works were carried out by Cornish Angling Clubs who are keen to improve potential spawning sites for salmonids.
89 cleared to allow fish passage and reduction of localised erosion; generally jams are left if they are not causing a problem as they provide a valuable habitat for all forms of river life.
80 sites cleared in years 1-3, 21 completed in 2005.
Completed; For example, see Rexon Cross A2000 Beat which has full disabled access.
11 River walks in 2002/4 with 248 attendees, a further 3 walks ran in 2005; see upcoming events section for further details.
Several of the demonstration sites are in public parks with full paved access throughout; for example Enfield Park in Camelford or Shell Woods. Click here for further details
Over 50 presentations given, including talks to the WFU, Cornish Guild of Smallholders, WI, Probus Club, Angling Clubs, Treknow Garden Club among others.
Over 600 farms advised on specific soil loss issues, financial savings on soil retention estimated to be in excess of £145,260 per annum.
 
© westcountry rivers trust 2006