Huge congratulations to Friends of Tawd Valley, whose members have attained Gold Level in our Trout in the Town project. This community group focuses most of its activity within Tawd Valley Park in Lancashire, where it has been dedicated to protecting nature since 2018. Thanks to a passionate team of volunteers, the group has greatly enhanced the park as both a wildlife haven and a beloved green space for local residents.
Trout in the Town is a specialist project that aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities of urban river conservation. Participating groups can access support, training, and a framework for developing their activities. Gold Level is the highest award that groups can receive, representing diligent and transformational work. Friends of Tawd Valley previously achieved Bronze Level in 2021 and Silver Level in 2022. The group have now been awarded Gold Level due to their sustained excellence in urban river conservation, which has included activities such as:
- Contributing to the removal of Cobbs Clough Weir, a major barrier to the River Tawd’s migratory fish populations.
- Monitoring river health through water quality testing, as well as surveying for trout redds, wildlife habitat, and riverfly species.
- Engaging the public through the West Lancashire Green Fayre, the Trout in the Town Conclave, and a Mayfly in the Classroom project at a local primary school.
- Building the group’s resilience by promoting financial transparency and upskilling members through training opportunities.
These combined efforts have led to a significant positive impact in the local area, and an incredible development for the River Tawd specifically: a self-sustaining population of wild brown trout. Since the brown trout is an excellent indicator of river ecosystem health, this is a very positive sign for the Tawd’s future. Dr Paul Gaskell, our Trout in the Town lead for the north of England, was delighted to hear the good news. “It’s especially fantastic to see the exceptional feat of re-establishing a wild breeding population of trout via weir removal and natural recolonisation,” he noted.
Our warmest congratulations to Friends of Tawd Valley, on their amazing achievement! We first encountered this group when they received one of our Advisory Visits, which are free for England and subsidised for the rest of the UK and Ireland. If your group could benefit from our expert advice, or may wish to join the Trout in the Town project, we’d love to hear from you.
