LOVE for the rivers across our region is growing, and we met with a Devon MP the day before Valentine’s to share more about our volunteers and all they do for freshwater habitats.
Selaine Saxby represents North Devon and she joined our CEO Dr Laurence Couldrick on 13 February along the banks of the River Bray, near Filleigh.
Laurence shows Selaine how to do a water quality test.
She said: “It has been really interesting to meet the Westcounty River Trust and test the water of the river.
“Their Westcountry Citizens Science Investigations programme is fantastic in collecting data, and without data it is impossible to identify water quality issues.
“Each river is different, and the water quality varies along it, and there are a number of external factors that can impact it but information enables those keen to work to improve our water quality to identify pollution sources, and work with the many dischargers into our waterways to start to make a difference.”
We are keen to see more people across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset join us as a citizen science volunteer.
Laurence said: “It is important for our charity to share the valuable work our volunteers do in bringing rivers to life with us, and this includes letting those who represent us in government see first hand what the volunteers achieve and how it helps river health.
“From grassroots to parliament, we are working hard to keep giving rivers in the region a voice.”
To find out more and to get involved, visit our Westcountry CSI page.
The visit was part of the Triple C project promoting Integrated Catchment Management and the role of Citizen Science.