Summary
Learn more about 25 years of work to restore streams, rivers and floodplains in Staffordshire. Case studies will be presented at an indoor session followed by a visit to one of our flagship schemes at Croxall Lakes.
Description
Indoor session at Barton-under-Needwood Parish Hall:
13:30-14:30. Nick will present a series of case studies to showcase the design and implementation of restoration efforts carried out at
(1) Headwater and tributary streams,
(2) Urban watercourses,
(3) Large floodplain rivers.
There will be an emphasis on natural process-led restoration. We will also discuss best practice for baseline and ongoing monitoring (both geomorphological and ecological), lessons learnt, and the evolving situation with beavers!
15:00. Outdoor session. (c.10 minute drive) Arrive at the nearby Croxall Lakes nature reserve to see an example of a major river widening scheme carried out in 2009-10 at the confluence of three of major rivers: the Trent, Tame and Mease SAC. Bring clean wellies so that we can get stuck into view some of the more muddy, swampy habitats. There are lots of talking points including the use of experimental techniques, species monitoring, ongoing management, large woody debris and INNS.
We will aim to depart from the main reserve car park by 17:00
Nick is a freshwater ecologist and has been working on the design, delivery and monitoring of more than 100 river, stream and floodplain restoration projects over the last 25 years. Nick is particularly interested in rekindling natural processes and is looking forward to the day when beavers could put him out of a job!
