Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust

Report on activities carried out for Adopt-a-riverbank initiative

Funded by Dulverton Trust, ( Foundation in ) 23.10.15 to 1.11.16

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Adopt-A-Riverbank Project 2015/16

The Adopt-A-Riverbank project aimed to get as many people as possible engaged in visiting and monitoring their local riverbank. The project was conceived as an initiative to develop and broaden the activities of Rivers Trust, building on projects that the Trust has been involved in over the last few years, such as The Cleddau Trail project, the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) project and the Coed Cymru Nature Fund river restoration project.

Plans and funding bids were put together during the Summer of 2015 during the last months of the EFF project in order to create a role and bid for funding that would provide ongoing work for the EFF project staff.

In July 2015 PRT applied to the Dulverton Trust (Community Fund in Wales) and also to a number of other funding streams including the Natural Resources Wales, Woodward Trust, Port Authority, Supermarkets 5p bag schemes and other local organisations. The aim was to fund a £40K 2 year project with ambitious targets for numbers of people reached and kilometres of riverbank adopted, and to create a sustainable framework for co-ordination and engagement of PRT’s volunteers.

PRT was only successful with one of its funding applications; unfortunately no other funding was secured. The Dulverton Trust (Community Foundation in Wales) kindly awarded PRT £5,000. This money was used to employ two project officers on a part-time basis to run the Adopt-A- riverbank project.

Despite the failure to secure more funding, the £5,000 grant from the Dulverton Trust did enable the Trust to achieve its aims of engaging more people and getting them involved with riverbank activities, with the key achievements as follows:

 4 Community riverbank events  3 School events  County show displays  Social media training course for volunteers  Creation of social media feeds including dedicated Facebook page and Flikr/Instagram  Presentation to Schools Foundation officers to offer ADAR programme (taking place on 1.11.16)  Presentation to local Community Council to establish riverbank group  Plus a number of other visits and meetings.

Project spending The £5,000 Dulverton grant was used to cover the following costs of the Adopt-a-riverbank project.

Part-time project officer funding including £302.20 expenses (Jo Cunningham) = £2,552.20 Part-time project officer funding including £97.75 expenses (Helen Jobson) = £2,347.75 Cost of exhibition space at Pembrokeshire County Show = £100 Total = £4,999.95

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How The Grant Has Made A Difference To The Local People And Local Area

The project has increased interest and knowledge of river/water issues in Pembrokeshire, with more coverage and awareness of the Trust, its aims and its activities. A key aspect of the project has been engaging with primary schools in the County, with a presentation to Foundation Stage Co-ordinators and 3 school sessions held during the Summer months. In these school sessions children have been encouraged to bring their families back to the publicly accessible watercourses, thus taking their learning home to parents and siblings. Contacts have been made at other schools that will help to develop school involvement in their local riverbank activities in the future, with Adopt-a-riverbank activity sheets, maps, handouts and other project resources that can be reused for other classes and schools.

More invasive species initiatives are now underway as a result of the project, with more people now aware of the issues facing rivers from Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed infestations.

With more stretches of watercourses now adopted, this has not only benefited the adopters but also helped to increase scrutiny of water quality issues, providing information on how to tackle problems and where to find more information/help. For example, how to recognise invasive weeds, what to do and not to do and where to report water pollution issues.

More local people now have the opportunity to learn about and engage with riverbank activities via the social media focus, with a growing following and sharing of online information. This has also helped in terms of wildlife reporting with reporting of records on the West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre (WWBIC) database, PRT web site and Riverfly Partnership database.

A Radio Pembrokeshire feature in May helped to highlight the project’s launch event and plans. As a result of the project information at the Pembrokeshire County Show, a local magazine “Pembrokeshire Life Online” has offered to run an article about the Trust in their next issue free of charge. As a result of the Community council meeting a write-up of the project’s aims is being submitted to the local newspaper.

Social media links Twitter @PembsRT Instagram pembsrt Like us on www.facebook.com/PembsRTAdoptariverbank1 Photos on www.flikr.com/photos/pembrokeshire-rivers-trust www.youtube.com/channel/UCa3U3g9K4uXv0JowgwN4eUg

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Events held as part of the project

 A social media training course was held at the end of October 2015 to help volunteers to use social media feeds for communicating Trust activities. 9 volunteers attended the course, which was provided free of charge to Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust by Refreshing North Pembrokeshire.

 A launch event was held on 30 April 2016 at Treffgarne Angling Centre for the Adopt-a- riverbank project. As well as displays and information about how to get involved in the project, the event featured moth trapping by Robin Taylor our county moth recorder, a display about beavers by the Wildlife Trusts beaver project, riverbank activities including a treasure hunt and wildlife recording. See PRT web site for more information about the event at www.pembsrt.org/welshbeaverproject/

30th April launch event featuring the Wildlife Trust’s display

 28.5.16 the Milford Haven based Value Independence Saturday Club met at Little Newcastle for an Adopt-a-riverbank session on the Glanrhyd stream, a tributary of the Anghof river in the Western Cleddau catchment where the Saturday Club often meets for outdoor activities. The weather was fantastic for the invertebrate sampling and nature walk. As well as looking for riverflies, invasive species and litter/river pollution problems, the Club saw a range of birds, wildlife and riverbank plants such as Hedge Woundwort, Wild Garlic (Ramsoms) and Bluebells, together with ubiquitous Nettles and Brambles which made the nature walk quite memorable!

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Value Independence Saturday Club at Little Newcastle

 8.6.16 A meeting was held with the Darwin Foundation which works closely with schools and other organisation throughout Pembrokeshire to provide educational activities focused on outdoor coastal habitats. Darwin’s and Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust’s aims align very closely and it was agreed to work together to create mutually supportive collaboration such as references for the Trust to join with the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools organisation, and exchange of water quality sampling results.

 29.6.16 As part of Pembrokeshire Fish Week Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust were invited to join Pembrokeshire Angling Association's Learn to Fish school event at Treffgarne Angling Cabin. Children from two local schools attended the event and learned about river wildlife, including invertebrates and their water life cycles.

School children on a learn-to-fish event as part of Pembrokeshire Fish week

 9.7.16 & 8.10.16 Members of Pembroke Mill Ponds Action Group (PMAG) received information about the Adopt-a-riverbank activities, with a display of river invertebrates, kick sampling demonstration and discussion of pollution issues.

“Hello A big thank you to everyone who came along today and made the Work Party so enjoyable and successful. I think Jo from Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust (PRT) deserves a special mention with her excellent demonstration of the invertebrates she found in the river and her knowledge, enabling her to answer all the questions that we fired at her. I believe that the interest shown by PMAG Volunteers is very encouraging, and we look forward to receiving

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training in techniques and identification from PRT early next year. I have attached the results of the Mill Pond water sampling and the birds observed. Although there wasn’t a great variety of birds, black-headed gulls being the most numerous, a number of people reported seeing a kingfisher daily and watching otters during the daytime. For those people who were wondering about the plant Miles (Peter) found alongside the reedbed boardwalk, we have identified it as Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), part of the Nightshade family. Don’t forget that the next PMAG event will be an afternoon walk in Holyland Wood on Saturday 22nd October starting at 2.30pm, followed by refreshments and cakes at The Hope Inn. In the morning, you can go to Foundry House to celebrate Apple Day. I look forward to seeing some of you then. Best wishes John Crum”

Pembroke Millponds Action Group at one of feeder streams, Holyland Woodland

 On the 12th July children from Years 3&4 took part in the Adopt-a-riverbank project with an interactive classroom session followed by a nature walk along the banks of the river in Newport. Equipped with clipboards, wellies and a picnic lunch the walk involved seeing, hearing and drawing the many plants and creatures found along the river and estuary. The children mapped the route of the walk and discovered many items of litter along the way, learning about the importance of preventing litter and pollution in order to protect their adopted riverbank. "Please find attached photos from the river study yesterday. Thank you very much for giving of your time, the children enjoyed. Diolch, Enfys Howells, Ysgol Bro Ingli, Head Bro Ingli School “

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Children from Ysgol Bro Ingli on a visit to the Nevern riverbank

 On 18-19.6.16 and 16-18.8.16 Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust’s stands at the Welsh Game Fair and Pembrokeshire County Show featured the Adopt-a-riverbank project with displays of invertebrates and invasive species. The Shows are a great opportunity to interest people in their local watercourses and in how land use and water management influence rivers and wildlife. +5  On 22.8.16 a kick sample presentation was made to holiday makers at the Kitewood campsite in north Pembrokeshire (http://www.kitewoodcamping.co.uk) as part of their pond dipping session in Tregoes woodlands, a tucked-away campsite next to conifer plantations. The stream sample showed the typical effects of conifers with few acid-sensitive invertebrates present but plenty of stoneflies, and we hope to work with Kitewood to create more on-site Adoptariverbank activities including regular river kick sampling in the future. Part of the Gwaun catchment, there was evidence of brown trout being present with visitors having found a fish nearby in recent days.

Stoneflies are common in the conifers of Tregoes Woodland in north Pembrokeshire

 As part of the Adopt-a-riverbank project moth trapping has been carried out during the summer at the Treffgarne Angling Centre on the Western Cleddau with Robin Taylor the Pembrokeshire County Moth Recorder. Designated as a Special Area of Conservation the Cleddau rivers are a special wildlife habitat, not least for Otters, Bullhead fish and Lamprey species. A fantastic range of moths and flying insects have been found at Treffgarne, and Robin's full results can be found on PRT's web site at www.pembsrt.org/riverbank-flying- insects. A county first for Robin was the Olive - see photo below - a Poplar feeding species. There are a number of large Poplar trees on the Treffgarne site, also evidenced by the spectacular Poplar Hawkmoth - see also below. Many riverbank flying insects found as

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expected as well, such as Caddis, Mayfly, parasitic wasps etc. Thanks are due to Pembrokeshire Angling Association who hosted the moth trapping activities at the angling centre.

Moth trapping at Treffgarne Angling Centre: Olive & Poplar Hawkmoth

 5.9.16, 16.9.16 & 9.10.16 Friends and families from the river group took part in Adopt-a-riverbank sessions, looking at river invertebrate monitoring to establish a baseline for their stretch of the river, setting up moth traps with Robin the county moth recorder and undertaking a river walk. The Brynberian is an important tributary of the in north Pembrokeshire. The monitoring, mothing and river walk were assisted by Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust, and the river group is keen to carry on with more activities and to take on riverfly monitoring of several sites together with wildlife recording and invasive species mapping/tackling. The Trust has been invited to do a presentation at the next meeting and further sessions are planned for next Spring. Comments from Siobhan Wooster of the Brynberian river group: "We got together a small group of us, along the river. Jo came and showed us how to take samples of life from 3 different habitats in the water. It looked as if nothing much was there, but as it settled in the white tray all the life started to expose itself. We were amazed, and enjoyed the learning. We were surprised and saddened at the diversity. Jo suggested we invite Robin Taylor to come along and set his moth traps, so again we gathered a group with 6 children this time to come and see which moths had settled over night. We all enjoyed the early morning hunt, but the weather conditions and moon were not favourable to seeing many. Robin did find a number of other habitating moths ,which kept the interest going all morning. Thank you Jo and Robin"

The Brynberian catchment in North Pembrokeshire

 29.9.16 The Esteam group (www.esteampembs.co.uk) joined the Adopt-a-riverbank project with a morning session looking at river wildlife and finding out about river wildlife and invertebrates from a local watercourse. As well as invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed the team looked at wildlife and habitats in their environment

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and took on the challenge of recording all the wildlife they see for the West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre database (www.wwbic.org.uk).

Wildlife and kick sample with Esteam, south Pembrokeshire  20.10.16 Year 5 children from Golden Grove primary school learned about Pembrokeshire's rivers and the Adopt-a-riverbank project. An interactive classroom session studying river invertebrates and otter adaptations was followed by an afternoon nature walk around Pembroke Millponds, looking at wildlife including the visiting wildfowl, woodland birdsongs, flying insects and many otter sprainting sites. The children have been asked to follow up with some drawings reflecting what they learned about rivers and otters in the Millponds, which along with photos to be featured on the Trust web site and social media.

Otter footprints and Flat bodied Mayfly - Golden Grove Year 5 visit to Pembroke Millponds

 26.10.16 A presentation was made to Community Council introducing the work of the Adopt-a-riverbank project. Puncheston is towards the top of the Cleddau rivers catchment which has a growing problem with widespread Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed. PRT invited the Community Council and primary school to get involved in raising awareness among residents and visitors to the community about the impact of invasive species and also the impact that the local sewage treatment works and septic tanks has on the river ecology. The Council agreed to work with PRT to develop future Adopt-a-riverbank activities in the future.

 1.11.16 A presentation was made to the County’s schools Foundation officers INSET training day in presenting an overview of a “Water – Rivers and Wildlife” educational programme that could be delivered over a half-term to schools. It is proposed that schools may wish to pay for this half-termly package of 6-8 class and field sessions, either in full or

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part-funded by local sponsors. The attached flyer details the aims of the programme, the activities, costs and proposed staffing. It is hoped that this package can be developed and extended to build on the collaborative work with the Darwin Foundation and Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools.

 Many of the Adopt-a-riverbank participants have signed up for a Riverfly Partnership training workshop, to be held as soon as funding has been secured. This will engage more volunteers for the Trust and increase the amount of riverbank activity throughout the county and in neighbouring counties, Carmarthenshire & Ceredigion.

 As a result of collaborative work with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) and Llandudoch Community Association the Himalayan Balsam practical leaflet has been finalised and is currently being translated into Welsh, it will soon be available to distribute/download to all of the project participants and interested parties. This work has led to more collaboration on invasive species and an HLF bid by PCNPA.

What does the future hold for the project

Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust intends for the Adopt-a-Riverbank project to continue. Its volunteers are continuing to work on recruiting people and groups to get involved in adopting their local riverbanks and running follow up sessions with new groups and individuals who have become involved with the Trust through this project. Funding is being sought to secure ongoing work by paid project officers i.e. as paid volunteer co-ordinators and for delivering school sessions, a number of potential funding sources have been identified and bids are being developed:

As already mentioned the “Water – Rivers & Wildlife” schools package has been outlined and presented to 50 Foundation Phase Officers from local schools. This is a half-termly package potentially consisting of 6-8 class and field sessions which could be funded in full by the individual schools or by looking to attract part-funding from local sponsors. PRT is waiting to hear back from the schools to see what they think about the package that is on offer and whether or not they would like to take it forward.

As a result of the project there are a number of follow up sessions to be held, including further work with Puncheston School and Community Council, Kitewood, PMAG, and the Carew Community Council. Many of the Adopt-a-riverbank participants have signed up for a Riverfly Partnership training workshop, to be held as soon as funding has been secured. This will engage more volunteers for the Trust and increase the amount of riverbank activity throughout the county and in neighbouring counties - Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

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Who has benefited from the project

Presentations/shows and social media feeds/communications have reached a wide audience of people online and in Pembrokeshire & neighbouring counties. The number of people who have been directly involved in Adopt-a-riverbank project activities is approximately 200.

Names Number of people Riverfly training? WTSWW 6 Yes Spittal 1 Yes Whitland 1 Yes Mynachlog Ddu 4 Yes Brynberian 2 Yes Brynberian river group 10 Brynberian 2 Darwin Centre 2 Yes Dwrbach 2 Yes Hook 1 Yes Family in Ceredigion 4 Yes Canaston Bridge 4 Yes Golden Grove, 21 children 23 Ysgol Bro Ingli, 25 children 27 Ysgol Bro Gwaun 8 10 Picton 8 10 County Show 6 Esteam 10 Valuing Independence 12 Puncheston CC 5 Bill Radio Pembs 1 Carew CC 1 WWBIC 2 PCNPA 2 Brynberian 3 PMAG 15 Yes St Davids 2 Freshwater 2 Nevern 3 1 Yes Kitewood 20 Yes 2

Total 200

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Appendix 1 – Water – Rivers & Wildlife Project flyer presented to Schools Foundation Officers, 1.11.16

Adopt-A-Riverbank is an initiative of Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust to help people to visit and enjoy their local watercourse, while protecting wildlife and www.pembsrt.org tackling problems such as invasive species, litter and water pollution.

 The project would be the core theme for the duration of a half term (6 weeks)  To be targeted at Years 1 & 2 (6 & 7 year olds)  Six Sessions will be delivered by staff from the Trust – 4 classroom sessions and 2 field trips (with outdoor learning at the school whenever possible).  Planning visits and Risk Assessments will be carried out.  Additional lesson plans, teacher resources and follow up activities will be provided.  Plan to work with 2 schools per half term.  Approximate cost per school is £3,000 - £3,500. Based on two Trust staff delivering each session.

Helen Jobson Jo Cunningham Tel: 01437 766669 Tel: 01437 766669 C/o Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust, Natural Resources Wales, Llys Afon, Hawthorn Rise, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2BQ. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Session 1 – Classroom (10am-2pm) Session 4 – Classroom (10am-2pm) “Introduction” “The Watercycle)”  Children as scientists  Where does water come from? Life in Rivers – otters as keystone species.  Water & Wildlife – Wet habitats Adaptations & Threats  What do we use water for? Invertebrates & Food webs.  Pollution & Sewage!  Water saving – water diaries & promises!

Session 2 – Field Trip to Treffgarne Session 5 – Field Trip to an Gorge (full day) Estuary Site (full day)  Sampling for invertebrates  Tidal zones – habitats  Nature walk / treasure hunt  Who survives here?  Habitats study  Adaptations – Marine Food webs  Looking for wildlife  Rock pool rummage  Art with nature – Drawing leaves etc  Nature hunt

Session 3 – Classroom (10am-2pm) Session 6 – Classroom (10am-2pm) “Something Fishy!” “What have we learnt?”  Vertebrates – biology  Field Trip Follow up  Lifecycle of the Salmon  Recap key learning points from sessions.  Migration & Survival – including maths.  Adopting a Riverbank  Threats  Countryside Code  Field Trip Follow up.

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Appendix 2 – Adopt-a-riverbank “How to get involved” Flyer

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Appendix 3 – Bilingual A5 Himalayan Balsam “Practical Advice” leaflet Developed by Gill Wislocka, Matt Tebbutt and Jo Cunningham of St Dogmael’s/Llandudoch Community Association, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s “Stitch in Time” project and Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust respectively.

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