A PROJECT working to restore a local river has won a national award.
The UK River Prize was handed out to the Trent Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency for the River Mease scheme at the River Restoration Conference.
The waterway, which joins the Trent near Croxall, has seen work take place over more than a decade to create habitat for rare wetland species, as well as improving water quality.
Other initiatives included the introduction and improvement of buffer strips, remeandering the river and the additional gravel and woody debris to the river and its tributaries as part of floodplain enhancements.
A team has also removed a 12km stretch of invasive non-native species from banks along the route.
Ruth Needham, from the Trent Rivers Trust, said:
“Seeing our restoration work on the River Mease recognised on such a prestigious stage feels incredibly heartening.
“The award is a testimony to the difference our work has made for the river and the communities that depend on it.
“We’re particularly encouraged by this win, as the River Mease is quite typical of many rivers that flow through a landscape where agriculture is a priority.
“The Mease is an example of what is possible for river recovery, even in a challenging landscape, and demonstrates what can be done to improve the resilience of our rivers.
“We are conscious that we are at a pivotal moment for the recovery of the Mease and rivers across the country. We now need to seize the opportunity and ensure that farmers can access reliable, well-resourced payment schemes to ensure that restoration efforts are not at risk.”
