Cumbrian rivers project scoops prestigious European Riverprize
An ambitious programme to restore and improve rivers in the Lake District has beaten competition from across Europe to win the prestigious European Riverprize.
The work of the Environment Agency, Natural England and partners was announced as the winner last night (29th November) for efforts across Cumbria to reinstate natural river processes that benefit both people and wildlife.
The Cumbrian River Restoration partnerships programme has improved almost 100k of river length and restored over 150 hectares of floodplain across the catchments of the Rivers Eden, Derwent and Kent. It has also reduced flood risk, removed plastic from rivers and boosted biodiversity in the region.
Partners on the project include National Trust, RSPB, Ullswater CIC, United Utilities, Eden Rivers Trust, West Cumbria Rivers Trust and South Cumbria Rivers Trust.
Olly Southgate, Cumbria River Restoration Programme Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the work of the Cumbria River Restoration programme being recognised on an international scale. River restoration work can provide a wide range of benefits, creating better natural habitats for wildlife and reducing flood risk through innovative nature-based solutions.
“In an ever-changing climate it’s work like this that will help to improve our environment for generations to come.
“We would like to thank all partners, stakeholders, local communities and private landowners involved in bringing this programme to fruition.”
The rivers of the Lake District have been impacted by changing patterns of farming and land management over many centuries. All the watercourses within Cumbria have at some point been modified or altered to create space for farming practices.
This has exacerbated the effects of several severe flood events in recent years, with the area also suffering degradation of designated protected areas and a severe decline in biodiversity.
The Cumbria River Restoration partnerships programme has carried out more than 100 separate projects including reintroducing meanders, removing weirs and planting trees.
Practical work was also accompanied by engagement, training and educational initiatives including community events, volunteer days, internal and external training, conference and workshop presentations.
First awarded in 2013, the European Riverprize celebrates excellence in the management, conservation and development of Europe’s rivers, wetlands and surrounding communities. Historically, the prize is award in conjunction with the European River Symposium, which attracts an audience of Europe’s leading advocates for environment and river protection, including the European Commissioner for Environment.
This year, the European Riverprize was awarded during the Gala Dinner of the 25th International Riversymposium in Vienna.
The other two finalists were a campaign to save one of Europe’s last wild rivers, the Vjosa in Albania, and a project covering the Mura, Drava and Danube Rivers in central Europe.
Partner quotes:
- Elizabeth Radford, CEO, Eden Rivers Trust, said:
‘We are incredibly proud to be a part of this ground-breaking partnership and to win this award. This recognises not only the scale and breadth of the work we have undertaken over the last decade, but also pays tribute to all of the farmers and landowners that work with us - without whom none of this would be possible’.
- Lee Schofield, senior site manager for the RSPB at Haweswater, said:
“The partnership work to restore rivers in Cumbria is a great example of how positive environmental improvements can be delivered within a farmed landscape. Finding ways to ensure these upland habitats perform once again for water quality, wildlife and people is at the centre of everything we do. The projects have been a team effort and we are honoured to have won this award.”
- Professor Neil Entwistle at the University of Salford, said:
What an honour that years and years of hard work has resulted in this win. It’s a testament to the various partners, volunteers, landowners and the farming community that these combined projects are helping to make Cumbria more resilient to our changing climate.
- John Gorst, Catchment Partnership Officer at United Utilities, said:
“United Utilities are delighted to be a part of the Partnership. The health of our freshwater environment is crucial to our core business of providing great water for the North West. The river restorations that we’ve been involved with and also the wider benefits of learning from other practitioners and specialists within the partnership has been invaluable. We are really pleased that the Cumbria River Restoration Strategy has been recognised for the great work it has delivered by winning this award.”
- Chris Kaighin, Deputy Director for Natural England in Cumbria, said:
“We are delighted to have won this award. It is great recognition for this partnership project in Cumbria, that is a showcase for delivering extensive river and floodplain restoration of some of our finest rivers in their farmed landscapes.
“Not only is the project achieving nature recovery, but is also providing natural flood management, innovative restoration solutions, higher water quality, carbon storage and connecting people with nature”.
- Rebecca Powell, National Trusts Riverlands Project Manager, said:
‘Winning such a prestigious award is a wonderful recognition of the hard work, dedication and skill of all partners involved in the Cumbria river restoration strategy. It is such an honour, personally and professionally, to work with such a fantastic group of partners. This have been a life’s passion for all involved in this partnership and I can only thank the judges for recognising the fantastic benefit that this work has had for our natural world.’
- George Heritage, Director at Dynamic Rivers, said,
“As a river practitioner with over 20 years of experience of delivery of river and floodplain restoration I can say that the River Restoration Strategy partnership in the Lake District has consistently delivered the widest, most ambitious and innovative programme of river related environmental improvements in the UK.
“The drive and motivation within the group is inspirational fuelled by the desire of every individual to contribute its success. It has been an honour and a privilege to work alongside each of the partners and I am sure that the programme will continue to build on the impressive work completed so far.”
- Luke Bryant, Assistant Director, West Cumbria Rivers Trust, said:
“Being part of the Cumbria River Restoration Strategy has directly led to many successful projects being delivered, as well as national awards, but winning the European Riverprize truly is the highlight. It’s very rewarding to have even be in contention, and we salute all the other organisations delivering exciting restoration projects across Europe.”
- Danny Teasdale, Ullswater Catchment Management, said:
“We’re very grateful to be part of such a great group of individuals, who have worked so hard to get here.”
- Peter Evoy, Director at South Cumbria Rivers Trust, said,
” To win this this prestigious award is huge recognition of the many people and organisations within the Cumbria River Restoration Strategy who have worked so hard and so long to achieve far reaching improvements for our rivers.”
- Ben Fisher, Head of Projects at Ebsford Environmental, said:
“We are incredibly privileged to be working with such a talented and passionate group of people who strive tirelessly to deliver some of the most cutting edge river restoration schemes seen within the UK.
“Working within a variety of designated sites come with a range of complex environmental challenges. Challenges which require a collaborative, dynamic approach to ensure stakeholder aspirations are met whilst protecting the sensitive riverine habitats we are aiming to improve.”