Our progress so far
2020 – 2021: TWIST
Walkover surveys to identify potential improvements on the Somerset Axe in Cheddar, Wookey Hole, and Wookey, as well as the River Sheppey in Shepton Mallet and Croscombe, and the Keward Brook in Wells.
2021 – 2022: TWIST
Developing a tree management plan for the River Frome through Rodden Meadow in Frome, and working with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust to train 15 riverfly monitoring volunteers for the Rivers Axe, Sheppey, and Keward Brook.
2022 – 2023: TWIST
Improving habitat in the River Frome through Rodden Meadow, by re-pollarding veteran willows, reducing non-native laurels, repairing previous woody habitat structures, and building a dead hedge to protect the banks from trampling and erosion. We also worked with Westcountry Rivers Trust to train seven volunteers in the Westcountry CSI citizen science methodology.
2023 – 2024: TWIST and Sheppey FISH
Installing 15 tree kickers to improve habitat in the River Frome through Rodden Meadow. The new Sheppey FISH project also investigated weirs at Darshill on the River Sheppey, and in Bruton on the River Brue, for potential fish passage improvements, as well as enabling Bristol Avon Rivers Trust to deliver their Eels in the Classroom project in a school in Bowlish.
2024 – 2025: Sheppey FISH
Working with Westcountry Rivers Trust and Exeter University to undertake a genetic study of wild trout in isolated headwater reaches of Somerset rivers including the Axe, Brue, Keward Brook, Mells, and Parrett. We also developed a translocation protocol for restoring wild trout population in the upper Sheppey in partnership with the Darshill & Bowlish Conservation Society, and we funded Eels in the Classroom projects (delivered by Bristol Avon Rivers Trust) in schools in Croscombe and Shepton Mallet.
2025 – 2026: Sheppey FISH
Phase one of wild trout translocations to the upper Sheppey with Westcountry Rivers Trust and Darshill & Bowlish Conservation Society, and investigating additional ‘genetic rescue’ trout translocations between isolated wild trout populations in the Rivers Alham and Brue (including eDNA analysis for the presence of invasive American signal crayfish). We also provided habitat improvement advice for local residents near Dinder Leat, and funded Eels in the Classroom projects in Doulting and Wells, once again with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.
2026 – 2027: Sheppey FISH
This year, we’re planning phase two of wild trout translocations to the upper Sheppey with Westcountry Rivers Trust and Darshill & Bowlish Conservation Society, as well as ‘genetic rescue’ work for wild trout in the upper Brue. We’re also funding Westcountry Rivers Trust to undertake a full-catchment prioritisation study of weirs and other in-river barriers throughout the Sheppey, and we’ll work with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust to train more riverfly monitors to protect local rivers with citizen science.
