Rachel has many years of practical conservation experience having started out her career as a ranger and spent many hours pulling Himalayan Balsam. Since then she has worked in volunteering and community roles and managed projects looking at public access and changing land management in the uplands to benefit nature, water, carbon, cultural heritage and local people.
Prior to her role with the Aire Rivers Trust, she worked for the National Trust at Malham Tarn and was involved with delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. Her real passion is working with different groups and individuals to understand their values and needs, so that we can work together on improving our rivers and give people a sense of ownership and pride over their local waterway.

Our Catchment Officer works to build and support the Aire Catchment Network (a group of organisations interested in improving the River Aire) by championing strategic priorities, building partnerships, and developing and seeking funding for projects.
Ruth brings a unique blend of technical expertise and passion for connecting people with nature. She worked for 12 years as a consultant hydrogeologist and project manager on both multidisciplinary and specialist projects, mostly focusing on the water environment, in Yorkshire and beyond. More recently, Ruth worked in outdoor learning, forest school and community engagement to develop nature connection, health & wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours.
“Now, as Catchment Officer for the Aire Rivers Trust, I can combine my technical background with my passion for natural environments and community collaboration. I’m striving to create sustainable, thriving ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife."

Nick manages our practical conservation programme and river restoration contractors. He has extensive experience designing and delivering woodland and natural flood management schemes. 

"I believe we are at a watershed moment for the environment. We all have a role to play in protecting and conserving the environment. I am keen to work with landowners to find profitable ways to support their farm businesses to care for our river."

Sam leads our citizen science volunteer programme and works on a variety of river restoration projects including along the River Worth. Being brought up on an upland small holding in South Craven, he has a strong connection to the river and communities of the upper Aire.

"Rivers have a key part in creating a landscape that delivers sustainable food production, recreation opportunities and ecosystem services like flood risk reduction. It's exciting to be part of that journey."

Alex has joined ART following an almost 3-year stint delivering and managing 2 WINEP funded catchment restoration projects for the Trent Rivers Trust. Before that, he worked in the private consultancy sector primarily analyzing and reporting on flood risk for public sector clients. Prior to this, he served a long period learning his trade with the Severn Rivers Trust delivering a variety of catchment restoration and improvement projects. Outside of work, he enjoys walking with his family and dogs, gardening and writing & playing music.

Olivia joins us as part of a National Lottery funded Groundwork's New to Nature internship, and will support the delivery of our practical conservation volunteering. Olivia is keen to learn new skills and help others enjoy their time volunteering with us.

"Rivers and riverside environments are essential features of any landscape, for wildlife and for people. I hope to support and work alongside volunteers to conserve and enhance the Aire and it's tributaries so that these natural assets can be enjoyed by communities and provide for wildlife for years to come".

Sharon is our Project Administrator. Sharon is always happy to help and is the person to talk to for volunteer expenses or booking on training courses.

"I am always happy to help, so please do not hesitate to get in touch. I love my job and it's great to be part of an organisation that helps the environment."

I am pleased to have joined ART as finance manager and look forward to working with the organisation to help strengthen its processes. I have worked within the charity sector for many years and my background and skills are in finance.
When not working I enjoy travelling and exploring new places. I’m looking forward to getting outdoors with ART on their working days and learning new skills.

Anna has joined ART as our Outreach Project Officer and will be working on the Roots in the River Project. Before joining, she spent 18 months working on The Missing Lynx Project with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, as the community engagement officer. Prior to this, Anna completed an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation, whilst also working for Leeds City Council doing engagement work with school groups and the public. “I thoroughly enjoy engaging communities with nature and conservation and take any opportunity to pass on my own enthusiasm and knowledge. In this role, I am looking forward to connecting people with the green and blue spaces within the River Aire Catchment, enabling them to reap the benefits that nature has to offer in these areas.”

Robert is a born-again angler who used to fish as a boy but never in the river since there were no fish in the Aire where he lived back then! He joined the Friends of Bradford’s Becks (FoBB) in 2015 as a volunteer Riverfly sampler to raise awareness of the chronic pollution to Bradford Beck. Robert worked for many years in textiles as a colourist which has stood him in good stead pollution hunting around the catchment. Evidence he has gathered has been used to successfully stop and prosecute polluters. Robert now collaborates closely with the authorities to help resolve pollution incidents. He supports the work of community groups, including FoBB, to observe, report and investigate pollution to our rivers. After 20 years of trying, he is looking forward to catching his first 2lb grayling from the Aire, very soon.

Wendy is a founder trustee of The Aire Rivers Trust and a former Chair of Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club. She is our Safeguarding lead.

She began canoeing on the Aire in 1974 and remembers signs along the river warning people of dangerously polluted water.

“The quality of our local water courses is a signal of how we value and care for our environment and the improving quality of the Aire is a success story to be proud of.
Recreational use of the river enables local people to value it and engage with its care. This means reducing pollution, managing the spread of invasive non-native species and restoring the river towards a natural state. In the past the Aire has been exploited at great cost to plant and animal life. Restoration of the river and its catchment is a win-win for people and nature.”

Having spent many happy hours kayaking on the Aire, Jez has a keen appreciation of the importance of river health for both wildlife and communities.
He originally trained as Chartered Accountant, is a former Treasurer of Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club and the current Treasurer for the Yorkshire regional committee for canoe slalom.

I’ve recently joined as a trustee for ART. I have over 10 years experience of working within the environmental sector, particularly within catchment management and freshwater pollution. My day job is at Natural England where I manage our freshwater programme on nature recovery across protected sites and input into government policy. I’m keen to bring these skills to ART and make a difference on the ground.

Billy is a member of CIWEM and has worked for River Trusts for over 15 years.
"My inspiration is connecting communities to their river, and that river being as good as it can be for nature to thrive. I enjoy and have delivered projects around catchment management, citizen science, natural flood management, biodiversity improvements and community projects.
During my free time, I will be found introducing my boy to nature, playing guitar or in a kayak."

I’m a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 25 years’ experience working in the water sector, in consultancy and also for Yorkshire Water. I have worked across a wide range of water-related projects including flood alleviation, fish passage, river restoration, water and wastewater treatment, water resources and drought planning, and nature-based solutions. Over the course of my career I’ve become increasingly aware of, and passionate about, the importance of protecting and improving our water environment, and the vital role that organisations like the Aire Rivers Trust play, so I was delighted to be able to support the work of ART as a Trustee. In my spare time I can usually be found either in the garden or hillwalking somewhere in one of Yorkshire’s stunning landscapes.

Wth a 47-year career spanning various positions within the wastewater industry-primarily focused on assisting the industrial and development sectors in minimising their influence on the water cycle-and two decades of volunteer service to another Yorkshire-based charity I have chosen to continue contributing to both areas that have significantly shaped my professional life. Serving as a Trustee of ART affords me the opportunity to further this engagement in a meaningful and impactful manner.

David is a long standing Trustee with the Trust. As a local resident and member of Friends of Robert's Park he is keen to see the river on his doorstep thrive.

Alex is passionate about solving problems using nature based solutions that promote inclusiveness and access to nature.

One of our founding members and the Trust's Chairman for the first four years of its existence, Kevin is a keen advocate for the river. There are few people connected with it who haven't met Kevin. His passion and persistence over many years has been instrumental in transforming the river.

Following the major improvements to water quality, Kevin has continually highlighted the possibilities for the return of migratory fish to the Aire and has successfully prepared the way for this to happen.

Coming soon...