River Roadshow @ World Ocean Day on the Hoe
2023-06-08 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | The Hoe, Plymouth, Cornwall, PL1 2PA, United Kingdom
We’ll be Bringing Rivers to Plymouth for World Ocean Day as part of our River Roadshow.
The Bringing Rivers To You roadshow will be touring riverside towns across the Westcountry, to bring the joys of rivers into busy public locations. Come along to enjoy an immersive and interactive experience where you can learn stories about your local waterways and the work that our charity is doing to protect them.
This leg of our journey around the Westcountry, will feature:

Facts on how our rivers impact ocean health and conservation
The launch event of Angela Gall’s new book ‘Allis the Shad Who Wouldn’t Give Up’
Creating your own ‘River Rhyme’
An introduction to water quality testing

This event is in collaboration with The Plymouth National Marine Park, the Ocean Conservation Trust and Clean Our Patch, who will also have stalls along the Hoe with educational activities to get involved with!
We will be positioned near the beatles statues on the west side of the Hoe. What 3 words: ///zone.pull.cherry.
No need to book, pop-by and celebrate World Oceans Day with us!
Keep an eye on our Bringing Rivers to You campaign page for more River Roadshow dates https://wrt.org.uk/bringing-rivers-to-you/

Forest Gardening and Agroforestry Workshop
2023-06-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Loveland Community Field, 2 Church Hill, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 8AJ, United Kingdom
Join the Farm Net Zero team for an evening of discussion and activities, exploring the benefits of forest gardening and agroforestry.

Our next climate-friendly gardening workshop will hosted by the thriving Loveland Community Field.
We will be taking a look at the new agroforestry planting at Loveland and hearing about the challenges and inspiration behind the project.
Gain tips on how to start your own forest garden and learn about the environmental benefits of planting trees, shrubs and perennial plants alongside crops. The session will focus on how to manage your garden to best sequester carbon and adapt to a changing climate, as well as boosting biodiversity.
Limited spaces, reserve your FREE spot here.

Water and Climate Change: 10 Things You Should Know
2023-06-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Exeter Phoenix, Gandy St, Exeter, EX4 3LS, United Kingdom
Join our Co-creation Specialist, Dr Sarah Ward, at this panel discussion to celebrate 25 years of Centre for Water Systems (CWS).
Hear four speakers passionately discuss the implications of our changing world on a key area. Climate Change and water are intertwined, from flooding and drought, to increased demand and varying quality.
We’re looking at the 10 key changes you need to know: what we are already experiencing, alongside what to expect in the coming years, and the positive ways scientists and engineers are building resilience.
We’re sharing the research behind the headlines, with a particular focus on the work of the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter.
We’ll examine the science behind attribution; is there evidence that individual extreme flooding events were affected by Climate Change?
How can we become more resilient in a changing world to extreme weather events and how does the artistic community work with scientists to communicate their work?
Come along and join the conversation.
This event is in partnership with the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter, which is celebrating its 25 year anniversary.

Biodiversity and Water Quality at Alren Farm
2023-06-24 11:00 - 14:00 | Alren Farm, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, PL17 8PT, United Kingdom
Join the Farm Net Zero team at this community event, at the hub of the Stoke Climsland Farm cluster.
Bonny Lightfoot of Alren farm has been one of the farmers central to building the award winning 21– strong Stoke Climsland Farm Cluster. Bonny, Tim and Jake are holding an event to discuss what they are doing to improve water quality and support biodiversity.
Other speakers include:• Robin Jackson (Duchy College) Director of the Rural Business School• James Harbord (Westcountry Rivers Trust)• James Coumbe (Westcountry Rivers Trust) Land Adviser, and Farm Cluster Coordinator• Hannah Jones (Farm Carbon Toolkit) Soil quality and carbon adviser
The Defra Funding will support innovations by the Lightfoots and others in the farm cluster to enhance the beautiful environment of the Stoke Climsland Parish.
This Lottery-funded Farm Net Zero event will take place at the Alren Farm, Stoke Climsland. What3words:///averts.warblers.remodel.
Pasties will be provided so please book your spot, by contacting Alex Bebbington (alex.bebbington@duchy.ac.uk), James Harbord (jamesh@wrt.org.uk) or Hannah Jones (Hannah.jones@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk).
Learn more about the Farm Net Zero project here.

Water Net Gain Briefing
2023-07-14 12:30 - 13:30 | Cornwall
You are invited to join our CEO Dr Laurence Couldrick and Carolyn Cadman, Director of Natural Resources at South West Water, to learn about the Water Net Gain project, recently awarded £1m from the Ofwat Innovation Fund.
See further information here
Please register at eventbrite.com.au/e/water-net-gain-briefing-tickets-669208609967
You will be sent a link to join the online event nearer the time by email.

River Roadshow @ Taunton Vegan Fair
2023-07-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Goodland Gardens, The Bridge, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1UQ, United Kingdom
We’ll be Bringing Rivers to the Taunton Vegan Fair for the third stop in our River Roadshow.
The Bringing Rivers To You roadshow will be touring riverside towns across the Westcountry, to bring the joys of rivers into busy public locations. Come along to enjoy an immersive and interactive experience where you can learn stories about your local waterways and the work that our charity is doing to protect them.
This leg of our journey around the Westcountry, will feature:

Captivating river tales from across Somerset
Art activities
Info on how WRT works to improve river wildlife habitats across the Westcountry
An introduction to water quality testing

Alongside all of this, the Taunton Vegan Fair will be showcasing the very best independent vegan businesses and brands. Expect everything from street food to sweet treats and bakes, vegan cheese to ethical fashion brands, zero waste household to cruelty-free skincare and more!
Check out the event info and list of traders here www.veganfairs.co.uk/upcoming-events/taunton-vegan-market-jul-2023.
The event will be taking place in Goodland Gardens, right next to the River Tone.
Keep an eye on our Bringing Rivers to You campaign page for more River Roadshow dates https://wrt.org.uk/bringing-rivers-to-you/.

River Tamar Family Activities
2023-07-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Bridging the Tamar Visitor Centre, Pemros Rd, Plymouth, Devon, PL5 1LP, United Kingdom
Join the Plymouth River Keepers team for some fun family activities at the Bridging the Tamar Centre.

Learn about the fabulous Tamar River and its spectacular habitats
Water Beastie identification – take a look at the hidden world between the surface of our rivers
Learn to identify all manner of freshwater invertebrates (creepy crawlies) by looking at the real thing under a microscope
Water Quality Testing – become a Citizen Scientist and help us understand the health of our rivers by performing testing on water samples taken from the Tamar.

Free entry, just turn up! Learn more at https://www.bridgingthetamar.org.uk/event/west-country-rivers-trust-family-activities-national-wildlife-week/

River Roadshow @ Truro Big Summer Market
2023-08-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LW, United Kingdom
We’ll be Bringing Rivers to Truro for the last stop in our River Roadshow.
The Bringing Rivers To You roadshow will be touring riverside towns across the Westcountry, to bring the joys of rivers into busy public locations. Come along to enjoy an immersive and interactive experience where you can learn stories about your local waterways and the work that our charity is doing to protect them.
This leg of our journey around the Westcountry, will feature:

Captivating river tales from across Cornwall
Art activities
River dipping wildlife ID activities
An introduction to water quality testing

Alongside all of this, Lemon Quay will bustling with over 60 local traders, live music, entertainment and street food.
Keep an eye on our Bringing Rivers to You campaign page for more River Roadshow dates https://wrt.org.uk/bringing-rivers-to-you/

Whitchurch Community Co-Creation Event
2023-08-31 13:30 - 15:30 | Whitchurch Community Hall, Church Hill, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9ED, United Kingdom
Join our Rapid Response Catchments Team to find out about how we can work with you to help improve your community’s climate resilience.
We’re working with local communities to help them to bolster their resilience to climate change and flooding.
Join us on the 31 August to look at how we can help the Whitchurch community and discuss the options that are available to slow the flow of flooding.
Click here to reserve your free spot!

Walkhampton Community Co-creation Event
2023-09-01 10:30 - 12:30 | Walkhampton Memorial Hall, Walkhampton, PL20 6JX, United Kingdom
Join our Rapid Response Catchments Team to find out about how we can work with you to help improve your community’s climate resilience.
We’re working with local communities to help them to bolster their resilience to climate change and flooding.
Join us on the 1 September to look at how we can help the Walkhampton community and discuss the options that are available to slow the flow of flooding.
Click here to reserve your free spot!

Walkhampton Community Walk
2023-09-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Sharpitor, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6PD, United Kingdom
Join us on a guided walk of Walkhampton Common to learn more about your local Natural Flood Management project.
Come along to learn about the work of the Upstream Thinking: Rapid Response Catchments and Dartmoor Headwaters projects, while taking part in a community litter pick, actively contributing to your flood community’s flood resilience.
Click here to reserve your free spot!
* Please note that this will involve a walk across rough ground and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.
** Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions and wear suitable footwear for the terrain.

HarFest: A celebration of regenerative food production
2023-09-09 11:00 - 15:00 | The Real Food Garden, Inches, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5LR, United Kingdom
Join our Farm Advisor, Zoe Smith, at the Real Food Garden’s Harvest festival.
We’ll be on hand with climate-friendly gardening tips, including how you can bring some of the Real Food Gardens’ regenerative magic to your plot, alongside running a ‘Get to Know your Soil’ workshop where you can learn about soil health indicators, so don’t forget to bring along a soil sample for testing!
You’ll also be treated to a tour of the farm with the chance to meet the Real Food Garden growers, feed the animals and try your hand at apple pressing or the vegetable shy.
Enjoy a delicious lunch of Real Food Garden produce, brought to you especially by Bellamama Deli served to the beautiful, rooted tunes of folk artist Richard Trethewey.
Visit this link to learn more and book your ticket!

Widecombe Fair
2023-09-12 | Widecombe Village Green and Fair field, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 7TR, United Kingdom
Join our Upstream Thinking team at the annual agricultural fair in Widecombe.
Come along to learn more about the work we’re completing across seven strategically important drinking water supply river catchments in the Westcountry: the Dart, Exe, Fowey, Otter, Roadford, Tamar and Tavy catchments.
Follow this link, to learn more about the fair and book your tickets!

Emergency Planning and Devon Resilience Innovation Project Community Evening
2023-09-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashburton Town Hall, North St, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7QQ, United Kingdom
Join our Rapid Response Catchments Team at this Devon Communities Together event, to find out about how we can work with you to help improve your community’s climate resilience.
Come along to learn about:

The local flood resilience actions that are part of our Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP)
How to put an emergency plan together
The funding, advice and resources available through Devon Communities Together

No need to book, just turn up!

Beneficial Bugs Workshop
2023-09-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Community Roots Cornwall, Field of Dreams, Porthtowan, Cornwall, TR4 8FN, United Kingdom
Join the Farm Net Zero team for an evening of discussion and activities, exploring the benefits of welcoming bugs into your garden.
After the success of the ‘No-Dig Gardening’ workshop we will be holding another of our climate-friendly gardening workshops with the Community Roots Garden. This session will focus on beneficial bugs; how to welcome them into your garden, what environmental benefits they can bring, and how this all helps fight the climate crisis.
Insects play a fundamental role in our food growing and wider ecosystems, so come along to:

Explore the companion planting and beetle banks of the Community Roots’ Garden to spot and identify different insects.
Learn about creating insect habitat in your growing space.
Build a bee hotel to take home.

Limited spaces, reserve your FREE spot here.

Groundswell Annual Conference
2023-09-23 09:30 - 21:30 | Rosuick Organic Farm, St Martin, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6DZ, United Kingdom
Join Zoe Smith, our Farm Adviser, at the annual Groundswell conference looking at the state of Nature on the Lizard Peninsula.
Zoe will be discussing the current state of wetland decline in the UK, why restoring wetlands is essential to help us to adapt to climate change and promote wildlife recovery, and how we can achieve that locally.
The theme for this event is ‘Air and Fire’ and will explore topics such as, the value of healthy air, the effects of fire on wildlife and how we can safeguard nature on the Lizard for the future.
Other speakers include Gillian Burke (BBC Springwatch), Matthew Oates (Entomologist) and representatives of Natural England and Cornwall Council.
Get your tickets here!

Get ready to (Salmon) Run
2023-09-24 08:00 - 20:00 | Salmonpool Wier, SalmonPool Lane, Exeter, EX2 4SW
Join us on World Rivers Day as our Strategic Exe Weirs project teams up with the Tidelines Salmon Run.
Learn all about the life of the super Salmon and its journey along the River Exe, plus get to know more about our work to restore and protect this river, and rivers across the region.

Soil Health Workshop
2023-10-10 17:30 - 18:30 | Loveland Community Field, 2 Church Hill, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 8AJ, United Kingdom
Join the Farm Net Zero team for an evening of education and citizen science, focused on improving soil health.
Come on down to the thriving Loveland Commuinity Field for their second FNZ climate-friendly gardening workshop of the year. At this session you’ll have the opportunity to try out simple techniques to assess a range of soil health indicators, alongside discussing the other actions participants are taking to reduce the carbon footprint of their gardening, and how farmers in the region are addressing this too.
What’s the link with climate change? Work completed by the Farm Carbon Toolkit has demonstrated that every hectare of land that raises its soil organic matter levels by just 0.1% (e.g. 4.2% to 4.3%) can sequester approximately 8.9 tonnes of CO2 per year . Healthy carbon rich soils also increase productivity, drought resilience and biodiversity.
Please bring a small sample of your own soil (a trowelful) for testing!
Refreshments provided.
Follow this link to reserve your FREE spot.

Community Climate Resilience Drop-In
2023-10-16 16:00 - 18:00 | East Budleigh Village Hall, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon ​, EX9 7DU, United Kingdom
Would you like to help create local solutions to the impacts of climate change and improve flood resilience?
Rapidly Responding Catchments, or RRCs, are quick draining catchment areas (under 10km²) where surface run-off during high rainfall events can overwhelm small communities. We have identified East Budleigh as an RRC and would like to work with you to build your community’s resilience by co-creating innovative approaches such as Nature Based Solutions (NBS).
Join us for a drop-in session to learn more about the Upstream Thinking RRC project and how it can help your community be more climate resilient. Discuss your preferences and ideas on what is needed to improve East Budleigh’s Flood Resilience and learn more about the project interacting with our Augmented Reality table demonstrating how water can move though river catchments.
This work comes under the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP).

Community Climate Resilience Drop-In
2023-10-24 14:30 - 16:30 | Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell St, Honiton, EX14 1LX, United Kingdom
Are you part of the Honiton Community? Worried about flooding?
If so, drop into our community event to find out more about the different resilience actions that could help build your community’s resilience to flooding.
Have a go at our slow the flow card game, interact with your catchment in our sand box and chat with other community members over a cup of tea or coffee.

Could you be a RIVERFLY MONITOR?
2023-10-24 19:00 | Wadebridge Town Hall, The Platt, Wadebridge, PL27 7AQ, United Kingdom
Come along to this FREE introductory event to learn about our CSI scheme, and how you could help protect the river Camel from pollution.
This is a free café – style event for anyone interested in water quality and wildlife in the Camel Valley catchment area; it’s hosted by Dr Mike Kent, co-author of Exploring the Camel Estuary, and Dr Kath Maguire, Research Fellow at Exeter University.
The event will include short talks and discussions on wildlife and water quality in the Camel; monitoring water quality using riverfly larvae; the importance of public engagement; and how water quality affects human and wildlife health.
There will also be a display of posters and photographs (including those of Adrian Langdon) about wildlife and water quality in and around the river Camel.
Light refreshments will be available free of charge.

Bampton Town Charter Fair
2023-10-26 | Bampton Town, Devon, EX16, United Kingdom
Join the Rapid Response Catchments team at the one of the oldest Charter Fairs in the country.
We’re working with local communities to help them to bolster their resilience to climate change and flooding, come along to our stall to learn more about the project.
Bampton Town Charter Fair is a traditional fair that continues to attract local producers of foods and livestock, crafts and traditional skills from Exmoor and its surrounding villages. Come along to enjoy market stalls, street entertainment, live music, craft workshops, demonstrations, and a funfair.
Find out more here.

Cornwall Community Flood Forum Annual Conference
2023-11-03 09:00 - 16:00 | Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground, Whitecross, Wadebridge, PL27 7JE, United Kingdom
Join our River Ops and Land Programme Managers at this conference which explores natural flood management and nature based solutions.
This event will feature a series of morning presentations, followed by an afternoon of workshops. One of which will be led by Ben Gallant and Giles Rickard, from the Westcountry Rivers Trust, and will focus on the Resilient Catchment Communities project.
Come along to learn about how communities can help to make their catchment more resilient.
This event can be attended online or in person, free refreshments and lunch will be provided for those attending in person.
Follow this link, to learn more and reserve your FREE spot.

Dartmoor’s Temperate Rainforests
2023-11-17 10:00 - 15:30 | Fingle Bridge Inn, Drewsteignton, Exeter, Devon, EX6 6PW, United Kingdom
Come along to hear our Chief Executive Officer, Dr Laurence Couldrick, talk about the role of temperate forests and other nature-based solutions in delivering integrated catchment management.
Dartmoor’s temperate woodlands with their understory of lichens, mosses and shrubs are one of the wonders of Dartmoor. Join us at the Fingle Bridge Inn, located in a beautiful woodland setting, to hear a range of talks exploring how these temperate woodlands evolved, what steps are taken to conserve them and what the future is for these climate sensitive wooded landscapes.
Other speakers include:
Guy Shrubsole Environmental campaigner and public speaker and author of The Lost Rainforests of Britain
Ralph Fyfe of Plymouth University whose research is connected with past environmental change.
Woodland Trust The Woodland Trust and the National Trust have joined forces on Dartmoor and are involved in largescale preservation and protection of some of Dartmoor’s temperate woodlands.
Moor Trees are on a mission to restore native woodland on Dartmoor and we will hear about their work.

Please follow this link for tickets https://dartmoorsociety.com/events/.
Your ticket will include refreshments on arrival and a buffet lunch. The bar at Fingle Bridge Inn will also be open for drinks.

Let's Talk Water - Stakeholder Webinar
2023-11-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
An online webinar and workshop to update you on South West Water’s (SWW) business plan and to discuss some of the key issues they are working to address.
The 7th ‘Let’s Talk Water’ event will begin with a presentation by Laura Flowerdew (Chief Customer and Digital Officer) on the upcoming launch of WaterFit Live 3 (Bathing water quality | WaterFit Live), which will now include data from all SWW storm overflows across the region.
After that, the focus of the presentations will be on the Local Nature Recovery Strategies being developed across the region, with guest speakers from the Cornwall, Devon and other LNRS teams working in this area. SWW will also be setting out how they will contribute to these strategies and the delivery of nature recovery over the coming years.
Learn more and reserve your free spot here.

Roots so Deep (you can see the devil down there)
2023-11-30 18:30 - 22:00 | Holbeton Village Hall, Brent Hill, Holbeton, Devon, PL8 1LW, United Kingdom
Can an underutilized way to graze cattle, that mimics the way bison once roamed the land, help get farmers out of debt, restore our depleted soils, rebuild wildlife habitat and draw down huge amounts of carbon? Cattle have been seen as eco-villains for a long time. What if they can help save us from catastrophic climate change?
“Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there)” is a 4-part documentary series all about inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil.
“Roots So Deep” is guided by director and wrangler of scientists Peter Byck as he meets farmers on both sides of the fence – the folks practicing an adaptive way to graze, and their neighbours set in their family’s generations-old method of doing things. Byck’s team of outcast scientists are measuring what’s happening on both sides of the fences – exploring if this adaptive grazing could help slow down climate change.
One question looms over the whole series: even if the science shows that the adaptive way to graze is better for the land and the farmers’ pocket books, will the old school farmers change, will they adopt a different method? Will they evolve into climate heroes and save us from the impending climate catastrophe?
This special screening will be showing parts 1 and 4 of the documentary.
Visit this link to book your ticket.

Understanding and conserving salmonid populations
2024-01-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Understanding and conserving salmonid populations in a changing world, theoretical underpinnings and implementation.

Speakers: Dr Bruce Stockley, Westcountry Rivers Trust & Professor Jamie Stevens, University of Exeter.

Date and location: January 16 2024, 2pm-3pm. Online at: https://www.youtube.com/@instituteforenvironmentalf4963 and Lecture Theatre 5, Bennett Building, University of Leicester

Speakers Bio:

Bruce Stockley is an applied river scientist who uses an evidence-based approach to conserve and restore the rivers of the South West of England. He has a background in fisheries genetics, morphological, molecular and paleontological approaches to the understanding of ecology and evolution. Bruce is currently Director of Operations at Westcountry Rivers Trust where scientific analysis, Natural Capital approaches and engagement with communities all form equal parts in the protection and reversal of environmental loss in rivers and landscapes of the Westcountry.

Dr Jamie Stevens is a Professor in the Department of Biosciences at the University of Exeter. He is a molecular ecologist and evolutionary biologist, and his research focuses on the application of population genetics to explore questions in ecology, management and conservation. In 1998 he was awarded a Wellcome Trust Biodiversity Fellowship, whereupon he moved from Bristol to Exeter. Since then, his research has focused on the use of genetic methods to address applied questions in fish movement and dispersal, and he has led/co-led the genetic components of four major EU-funded projects developing genetic tracking of Atlantic salmon and sea trout. Most recently, he has expanded his work to explore connectivity and gene flow in a range of corals and marine invertebrates; the results of these studies feed into the design and designation of marine protected areas.

Please register using either the QR code in the event image or by following the link: Understanding and conserving salmonid populations (office.com)

Tamar Talk Series: Fisheries, Dams and Barriers
2024-01-25 19:00 - 20:30 | The Tamar Valley Centre, Cemetery Road, Drakewalls, Cornwall, PL18 9FE, United Kingdom
Join our Director of Operations, Bruce Stockley, in the beautiful Tamar Valley for a series of nature talks.
Bruce will be talking all things fisheries, dams and barriers, for his contribution to the talk series. Come along to learn about:

Our river restoration projects across the Westcountry
What fishereies are, what we need to do to maintain them and how they fit into the river landscape
How dams and barriers influence habitats

Follow this link to learn more, and reserve your FREE spot.
Ours is one in a series of talks organised by the Tamara Landscape Partnership, check out the others here.

IUCN Red Listing of the Atlantic Salmon by Dr Will Darwall
2024-02-23 19:00 - 20:30 | The Tamar Valley Centre, Cemetery Road, Drakewalls, Cornwall, PL18 9FE, United Kingdom
In December 2023, the Atlantic salmon was classified by the IUCN as ‘Near Threatened’ globally and as ‘Endangered’ within Great Britain.
Join our trustee, Dr Will Darwall, the lead author on this assessment, as he explains everything you ever wanted to know about:
what it means if a species is on the IUCN Red List
what it means if a species is ‘threatened’
the Red Listing process
what these two assessments mean for the future of Atlantic salmon.
Will is currently the Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme Manager. From 2002 – 2022, he was Head of the IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Unit, Cambridge, UK. He has dedicated decades of his life to restoring water habitats around the world.
This event is a part of the Tamar Valley AONB – Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme Tamar Talks series.
Photo credit: Charles Fleming

South West Fly Fair
2024-02-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0RL, United Kingdom
Our Angling Development Officer, James will be at the South West Fly Fair talking about our FishPass app. Head along to find out more.
Adult Entry: £6; Under 18s: Free.
More details can be found via the South West Lakes Trust website.
