100 Hours with Aire Rivers Trust!

Betsy Matten (now proudly BA Hons.) writes about her placement with our Trust.

As part of my final year studying BA Geography with Quantitative Methods at the University of Leeds, I undertook a 100 hour placement with the Aire Rivers Trust (ART). ART immediately stood out to me, as a human geographer looking to gain insight into the world of environmental conservation, so I reached out and asked if I could get involved. From the very beginning, I was introduced to a variety of exciting projects, as well as many members of the team, a group of incredibly passionate and kind individuals.

Betsy Matten standing in a a field with ART volunteers, some cows and Himalayan balsam

During my time with ART, I managed to get out on some practical conservation days, working on important tasks with the amazing local volunteers! From scrub clearance to hedge laying, it was eye opening for me to see the work taking place on the ground to protect the Aire and its natural ecosystems.

Meeting the ART volunteers was a real highlight of the placement for me, showing such dedication to their local river and its tributaries. At a time when the topic of nature and the environment can evoke feelings of anxiety, this was a much needed reminder that there are many passionate people working towards a better world!

My key project with ART involved working closely with the Catchment Coordinator, Ruth McBain, who really supported me throughout the placement. This project was focused on Catchment Management Planning. I undertook research around best practice across the UK, and began to compile information which could be used for ART’s updated plan.

A proud achievement for me was the publication of a web page and interactive map I created on the ART website. This page aimed to direct potential new volunteers to the best ways for them to get involved. The map involved the collation of many of the existing local action groups along the Aire, including contact details and a blurb to assist viewers in choosing the most suitable group for them. This webpage can be found here: https://aireriverstrust.org.uk/friends-of-the-river-2/

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of my placement. During a very stressful period of my education, the ART work provided me with engaging and inspiring days to break up the endless library sessions! In addition to this, my portfolio on all of my ART involvement received a high first class mark.

Thank you so much to the brilliant team at ART, for an invaluable 100 hours, I loved it!

Plastics in our rivers

Plastic pollution in rivers is a major environmental problem that affects not only the health of rivers and the ecosystems they support, but also the health and well-being of humans. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the causes of plastic pollution in rivers, the impacts it has on the environment and human health, and what we can do to reduce it.
In a subsequent blog, we will look specifically at microplastics.

Slightly ironic how this trash collector (in Baltimore, US) creates a fish tail as it works…

One of the main causes of plastic pollution in rivers is the improper disposal of plastic waste. Many people simply toss their plastic trash into the streets or into nearby waterways, where it can be carried by stormwater runoff into rivers. In addition, plastic that is not properly recycled can also end up in rivers through the waste management process.

The impacts of plastic pollution in rivers are significant and wide-reaching. For one, plastic in rivers can harm and kill wildlife that mistake it for food or become entangled in it. Fish, birds, and other animals can ingest plastic particles, which can lead to malnutrition, organ damage, and even death. In addition, plastic in rivers can also absorb toxins from the water, which can be harmful to both humans and animals when ingested.

Plastic pollution in rivers can also have economic consequences. For example, plastic pollution can damage fishing gear and boats, leading to losses for fishing and tourism industries. In addition, plastic pollution can also affect water quality, making it unfit for human consumption and recreation.

What can we do about the problem?
So, what can we do to reduce plastic pollution in rivers? One effective strategy is to properly dispose of plastic waste and ensure that it is properly recycled. This includes properly disposing of plastic items such as bottles, bags, and packaging in designated recycling bins and participating in community recycling programs.

Another important strategy is to reduce our overall consumption of single-use plastic items, such as straws and plastic water bottles. By using reusable items instead, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our rivers and other waterways.

We can also support businesses and organizations that are working to reduce plastic pollution in rivers. For example, we can choose to patronize companies that use environmentally friendly packaging and support initiatives that work to clean up plastic pollution in rivers.

Finally, it’s important to educate others about the issue of plastic pollution in rivers and the steps we can all take to reduce it. By raising awareness about the problem and the actions we can take to address it, we can create a ripple effect that will help to protect our rivers and the ecosystems they support for generations to come.

In conclusion, plastic pollution in rivers is a serious environmental issue that has wide-reaching impacts on both the environment and human health. By properly disposing of plastic waste, reducing our consumption of single-use plastic items, supporting businesses and organizations that are working to reduce plastic pollution, and educating others about the issue, we can all play a role in protecting our rivers and the ecosystems they support.

If you would like to dig further into the plastics in our environment, then Earthwatch have some excellent online resources.