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Powys County Times
13-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
The Shropshire waterways being boosted by natural flood work
The second phase of a natural flood management (NFM) scheme that is being delivered in Shropshire is on target. Called 'slow the flow', the project runs until next March and is aimed at delvering NFM schemes across seven catchments in the Corvedale: Aston-on-Clun (the unnamed tributary of the River Clun), Battlefield Brook, Clunton (the unnanmed tributary of the River Clun), Gobowen (tributaries of the River Perry), Hilton Brook, Shyte and Sytche Brooks, Much Wenlock, and the River Corve and tributaries. During the scheme, Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) has been liaising with local flood action groups and the National Flood Forum to target where its work is most needed. It comes after Shropshire Council with Telford & Wrekin Council secured over £750,000 from DEFRA's Natural Flood Management Demonstrators fund. In order to meet the requirements, Shropshire Council worked with Cardiff University to monitor the effectiveness of NFM features to establish a method of quantifying the benefit of wood debris dams in a computer model. The impact of Covid meant that a large number of interventions could not be delivered, so the council was unable to allocate the remaining capital. However, because SWT has previously worked in the catchment before, it is continuing the work it started in 2018. During the first phase, over 100 landowners were engaged with and more than 350 people attended events linked to the project. A total of 1,000 NFM interventions had been installed, including storage ponds, swales, woody debris dams, sward lifting, improving field infiltration, tree and hedgerow planting. People were able to see some of the key work as part of the Shropshire Hills Summer Forum and Field Visits event. Starting at Wildehope Manor, a Grade I listed building that is looked after by the National Trust in Longville in the Dale, near Church Stretton, walkers were able to see some of the leaky barriers along the Wilde Brook that reduces the amount of water in the stream during high flows. 'It's working with natural processes,' said Sarah Mackness, water resources project manager at SWT. 'The designs we have used have evolved across the length of the project. 'We are replicating a lot of the work in the Corvedale, but we've also got funding for other catchments across Shropshire 'For every £1 spent on natural flood management, after 10 years there's a £4 benefit in terms to reduced risk to communities downstream and infrastructure. After 30 years, that goes up to a £10 benefit.' Ms Mackness also showed visitors how simple methods like placing a sill across a track can also prove effective. 'It was coming down the track, round the corner, and straight down the track,' she said. 'Heavy rain was washing soil away. Something as simple as a sill across the track is enough to cause the water to flow into the ditch at the side and flows much slower before it eventually reaches the stream at the bottom. 'How can we slow the water down, slow the infiltration and store the water upstream?' However, Julian Radliffe, who owns the land, said it doesn't always work. 'In the roadway, they put French drains in which are effective but over the years we probably have to dig them out because they get silted out,' he said. 'Then the water comes, down this track not down the ditch. We've got to bring our small diger and clear away the vegetation. 'The attrition rate on the dams is higher here than we expected because the flow has been much heavier because of the change of the climate than we originally modelled.' Ms Mackness added: 'It only works when you're working with landowners. Because of how the project is funded, we don't have any funding for maintenance. 'With it being a demonstrator project, especially the initial phase, we've learnt a lot from it and what we thought would happen hasn't always been the case.' Two people who went on the trip said it was very beneficial. 'We've had heavy rainfall that's travelled across two of our fields,' said Emily Esp. 'There's been houses and garden landscaping that's changed over time. I would like to help them by slowing the flow from the fields. I can't control what goes on in their garden and what they do with their landscaping, but I can slow it before it gets there.' Martin Steer added: 'It's nice to have engagement from the farmer as well. It's great to see all these people come together – they're all sharing knowledge. 'It is good progress being made, with soil management coming at the top of the agenda.'
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Trossachs Glen Finglas wildfire blamed on disposable BBQ
The disposable grill was found with a charred burger still on top after the blaze took place. Glen Finglas is the biggest Woodland Trust site in the UK. It lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. The barbeque was found with a burger still on top (Image: SWT) George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: 'An area roughly the size of two rugby pitches has been devastated, and at this time of year that means hundreds of nesting birds have been killed, along with lizards, slow worms, voles and other wildlife. 'If someone had taken a picnic instead of lighting a barbecue this could all have been avoided.' The blaze happened while a very high to extreme risk of wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was in place across north-east, central and southern Scotland. The Trust said that wildfires put people, wildlife and natural habitats at risk and urges visitors to woods, parks and green spaces to stay fire-free. Mr Anderson said: 'Barbecues and campfires can spark disaster, and if you are a smoker it is good to have a tin to bring your extinguished cigarettes home, too. 'You might think you have stubbed them out, but it is surprising how they can smoulder on. 'A massive 2018 fire at our English colleagues' site at Smithills weighs heavy on the minds of all our site staff. 'With another huge fire on Dartmoor, and now this incident at Glen Finglas over the weekend, we beg the public to take care.' READ MORE: He added: 'With climate change the conditions where fires can become uncontrollable will likely become more frequent, so as a society we absolutely must get on top of this issue. 'Even a single ember can ignite wildfires that rage out of control. This poses serious threats to people, communities, homes and properties. 'There are grave concerns if you live on the edge of towns. The threat is not restricted to wildlife and green spaces. 'Saturday's Glen Finglas fire was bad but it could have been much worse. Thanks to an alert member of the public the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were out fast and had it under control in a couple of hours. 'Our staff and volunteers turned out too. Many thanks to them and to the person who raised the alert. I look at the images from Dartmoor and shudder. That could have been us.'
BBC News
14-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Shrewsbury beavers named Beryl and Bertie after school poll
Two beavers released into a Shropshire nature reserve this year have been named, after local school children submitted Eurasian beavers were released at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury in February, reintroducing the animals to the area for the first time in 400 pair have now been named Beryl and Bertie, after Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) and Shrewsbury Town Council launched a contest last winning entry came from Year 2 at Coleham Primary School, and beat other suggestions as Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. A shortlist of the names suggested by schoolchildren was released earlier this month and the public were asked to vote for their final and Acorn were suggested by pupils at Meole Brace Primary School, and Charlie and Darwin came from Longnor CofE and Clive CofE beavers were transported to Shropshire from Scotland, and their release into the nature reserve is one of a number of recent projects in enclosed areas in the is hoped Beryl and Bertie will help to maintain the Old River Bed nature reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Organization makes historic announcement after receiving largest donation of its kind on record: 'Incredible generosity'
An anonymous altruist recently gifted the Scottish Wildlife Trust the largest donation in its 60-year history. With it, the SWT hopes to achieve conservation goals that were previously pipe dreams. The SWT used the donation money to purchase Inverbroom Estate, a nearly 19,000-acre stretch of gorgeous woodland, peatland, lochs, and more. This amounts to the organization's largest land acquisition ever. A recent announcement declared the SWT's intent to "restore wildlife habitats on [Inverbroom] to help tackle the nature and climate crises." It plans to do this by working with the community to "transform the landscape through woodland regeneration, peatland restoration and nature-friendly farming." The record £17.5 million (around $22.7 million) donation came in timely fashion, as the Inverbroom site was being eyed by foreign buyers. Now, it remains in the hands of a group that is heavily invested in maintaining Scotland's natural beauty and protecting its ecosystems. "The site includes some of Scotland's most iconic species and habitats, so we are delighted to have been able to secure it for the benefit of Scotland's wildlife and people, especially as there was also interest from overseas buyers," Jo Pike, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said. The SWT also intends to protect Inverbroom by removing invasive species that are disrupting the area's ecosystem. British isle Guernsey recently had success with similar efforts from conservationists. In a world where the gap, both cultural and financial, between the haves and have-nots seems to be ever-growing, this story is heartening. While the ultra-wealthy continue to pollute at far higher rates than the rest of us, there's at least one well-to-do environmentalist out there. That anonymous donor is responsible for the largest-ever land acquisition by Scotland's biggest conservation charity. Thanks to them and the SWT, Scotland's citizens — plants, animals, and humans — can enjoy a healthier, greener, better-protected environment. "[The restoration project] has all been made possible by the incredible generosity of a private donor who is passionate about the part that Inverbroom can play in restoring our precious ecosystems, while delivering benefits for local people," Pike said. Which of these environmental causes would you be most interested in supporting with a financial donation? Promoting clean energy Protecting clean air Advancing forest conservation Fighting climate change Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Primary school pupils invited to name beavers
Primary school pupils have been asked to suggest names for two beavers that have been brought to live at a local nature reserve for the first time in 400 years. The Eurasian beavers were released into an enclosure at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury, last month. They were transported to Shropshire from Scotland, and their release last month is one of a number of recent projects in enclosed areas in the UK. Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) & Shrewsbury Town Council have now launched a contest for primary school children to name the beavers, with an 18 March deadline for entries. In a Facebook post announcing the contest, the wildlife trust said it had sent local schools a link where staff could submit children's suggestions. The pair is made up one male beaver and one female beaver. The trust added that staff could submit possible names on behalf of a class or on behalf of a whole school. The government announced last week that the animals would be released more widely across England, under a licensing system overseen by Natural England. In the Shrewsbury project, it is hoped the beavers will help to maintain the nature reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. SWT said in late February that the beavers were "settling in well" and had been filmed grooming each other, adding that this was a sign of a good relationship between the pair. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Wild beaver release approved for England Baby boom prompts call to boost wild beaver population How beavers are reviving wetlands Shropshire Wildlife Trust
