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We are working with the Westcountry Rivers Trust to recruit trained volunteers who will look after their local waterways and protect it by monitoring its biodiversity, pollution and sediment levels. Schools are taking part in fun workshops and are learning how to care for their local rivers, ponds and streams.
January 2023
Volunteers Sign up to Protect Waterways
Our River Explorers Project aims to address the disconnect between people and their local waterways by engaging individuals, communities and schools. So far over 20 local volunteers have been trained to work on their local waterway! This involves monitoring its biodiversity, pollution and sediment levels. These fantastic volunteers are helping to spot pollution events which can be dealt with as quickly as possible – and ultimately create a network of catchment communities that are invested in their local environment. This is part of the West Country Rivers Trust’s Citizen Scientist Investigation project and will contribute data that can be used to target work and identify degrading water bodies.
We’ve also continued to provide sessions for local Schools / Colleges and when you hear a teacher saying: “The children are now asking how they can become scientists” that’s what we want!
There is still time for your school to be involved – email tamara@cornwall.gov.uk
July 2022
River Explorers is a Hit!
As part of our support for the Westcountry River’s Trust Citizen Scientist Investigations (CSI) volunteering programme we’re delighted to say that we’ve had lots of local interest and sign up.
The scheme aims to educate and engage people with the water environment, produce data that can be used to target work and identify degrading water bodies and spot pollution events which can be dealt with as quickly as possible.
In support of the CSI scheme, we’ll be running local events for people to learn more about the aquatic life living in their rivers and how to take part in CSI. Our first event in Buckland Monachorum was sold out and we have more planned. Haven’t signed up yet? Don’t worry, there are still plenty of places that need monitoring.
We’ve also been working with the Trust to launch the schools’ element of this project. This aims to equip teachers with the knowledge and confidence to take pupils to their local watercourses to carry out surveys to look for aquatic life and find out more about the CSI scheme.
Our first pilot session with Calstock Primary and Callington Community College launched in May. We’re still looking for local secondary and SEN schools to be involved, so please do get in touch if you’d like to take part. Contact Sammy Fraser, Community and Volunteering Officer.
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