Source: Angling Trust
The awards evening was introduced by WTT Director, Shaun Leonard, with the awards presented by Richard Aylard of Thames Water, who generously sponsor the Conservation Awards.
The Conservation Awards recognise and encourage excellence in the management and conservation of wild trout habitat, celebrating the efforts, skills and ingenuity of projects carried out both by professionals and by grass roots voluntary organisations.
This annual competition is often hard-fought and the 2013 entries lived up to this reputation.
The winners were:
Amateur Project: Pickering Fisheries Association.
A tremendous volunteer effort by club members and their families to improve the river for fishing and wildlife with work that also contributed to reducing flood risk in the town of Pickering by slowing the flow upstream of a notorious bridge bottleneck.
Professional Project: Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust.
Reinstating a natural meandering flow to a previously straightened river and removing a structural impoundment has transformed the river. This project was an excellent example of involving local people and being prepared to adjust plans to meet the challenges of bad weather.
Best Partnership Project: Action for the River Kennet (ARK).
A habitat creation project in Stonebridge Wild River Reserve in Marlborough, with benefits for a wide range of plants, birds and animals as well as fish. This was very much a community based project, supported by purchasing the meadow and river in partnership with Marlborough Town Council.
About the Wild Trout Trust
A team of expert, practical Conservation Officers work with landowners, fishing clubs and other community groups, rivers and wildlife trusts and government agencies across the British Isles to further the cause of conservation. The Wild Trout Trust’s work benefits not only our native, iconic brown trout but also many other animals and plants found in and by our waterways.
Further information about the Trust may be found by visiting their website HERE
