Lead Partner: Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust
Description
The aim of this action research work is to develop a model of community engagement and action to enchance the biodiversity, water quality and public access and understanding of a river catchment.
Raydale lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and has outstanding natural assets. Semerwater with its surrounding land is classified as SSSI and possesses UK Biodiversity Action Plan species such as crayfish. There are two mire sites in need of restorative action and which are easily accessible. The three feeder streams in the catchment all demonstrate very different habitats because of different underling geology. The area has a mixed land use varying from commercial forestry, intensive dairying, extensive sheep, shooting and tourism. There is a rich historical legacy with interesting archaeology. There are four villages within the catchment including Bainbridge. These are forward looking communities who share a strong concern for the environment and who are keen to address the degradation which has been identified by Natural England – very high levels of phosphates, erosion of river banks, disappearance of species such as the otter, the need to harvest mature conifers and restore native woodland, flood management – all in all a perfect study of a river catchment asset.
There is also an opportunity to share experiences with other Rivers Trusts and a conference is proposed in 2008.