Heritage Grants
Industrial pollution, agricultural impacts and the changing climate had put stress on habitats and endangered wildlife in the river’s catchment – the area of land from which all water flows into the river.
To tackle these problems, community groups joined forces with environmental organisations, businesses and local authorities.
Together they dramatically enhanced the natural heritage of the Ribble’s catchment by planting 30 woodlands, making new wetlands and fish passes, improving water quality, capturing carbon and creating a haven for an abundance of different species.
Thousands of people got involved through volunteering events, conversation workshops, geocaching competitions, guided river walks, augmented reality videos and oral history. Meanwhile schools visits helped children learn about the importance of healthy rivers and the wildlife they are home to.
Apprentices were given the opportunity to take their first steps in a career in river conservation, and volunteers contributed a staggering 13,622 hours to citizen science and conservation activities such as tree planting and river clean-ups.
Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe, Deputy CEO of Ribble Rivers Trust and programme leader, said: “Ribble Life Together has been a game changer for the River Ribble and the Trust. We delivered more projects, engaged more people and learned so much in eight years, that the impact of this programme will continue for many years to come.”
See how more projects across the UK are supporting communities to preserve natural heritage.
