River Wardens
Fineshade Brook
River Wardens
As part of the Building the Links for Rockingham Forest Project, we are looking for people who are interested in their local river or stream to become River Wardens. No experience is needed as all training will be provided - just your time and enthusiasm. The local organiser is Katie Field who would be delighted to hear from you if would be interested in helping out.
As a River Warden you will focus on a stretch of local river, stream or brook, and conduct regular surveys for wildlife and water quality. Becoming a River Warden is a great way to get outside and learn more about the natural environment where you live. No prior knowledge is needed and after a short training session you will be ready to go.
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You will also have the opportunity to undertake further training on how aquatic invertebrates can give us an insight into the health of our local water courses.
If you would like to know more about becoming a River Warden, please contact Katie Field at East Mercia Rivers Trust katie@eastmercia.org
Updates from Katie
New volunteer River Wardens recently gathered at Barnwell Country Park for our last River Warden training session, taking the number of people trained in carrying out water quality monitoring to 32.
Once the new River Wardens have established their monitoring sites, we will have a network of over 20 monitoring locations across the rivers and streams of the Rockingham Forest. This will help to give the project an overview of the health of our watercourses including nitrate and phosphate levels, presence of litter and growth of algae, and also some insights into the aquatic life.
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The monthly survey takes less than an hour to complete, and the results will be used at a local and national level – real Citizen Science.
On each visit you as a River Warden will answer questions about the river and take photographs, as well as using some simple scientific techniques to assess the water quality and clarity.
More about the rivers and brooks of Rockingham Forest
Discovering Priority Habitats
This is a freshwater monitoring initiative currently being delivered in partnership between Natural England and the Freshwater Biological Association. They are aiming to train people as citizen scientists to carry out ‘naturalness assessments’ on smaller rivers, streams, and lakes; areas that usually get missed by traditional monitoring methods. The collected data will inform Natural England in identifying and prioritising waterbodies for protection and restoration, as well as providing you with accessible information about the condition of your local water habitats.
Initial training for river wardens interested in this initiative took place on Wednesday 14th February at Top Lodge Fineshade Wood.
Have a look at the Freshwater Biological Association's website for more details about this citizen-science initiative.
