Ever wondered what’s involved on a LIFE project launch?
In a nutshell, the LIFE R4ever Kent project is a five-year project that aims to safeguard the River Kent Special Area of Conservation (SAC) so that the river and its species are more resilient to environmental pressures.
The project is led by Natural England in partnership with the Freshwater Biological Association, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, and Environment Agency. The project has received funding from the LIFE Programme which is the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment, while the River Kent Special Conservation Area is also part of the Natura 2000 – a network of the very best areas for wildlife across Europe.
That explains the partnership and all our logos proudly displayed at the bottom of this website. However, establishing a partnership and sorting out the funding to see a project through to completion is just the beginning.
Once all the extensive paperwork (and yes, there are several hundred pages of that!) is out of the way, the real boots-on-the-ground work can begin. To summarise:
About the project
- The River Kent catchment consists of the Kent, Gowan, Mint and Sprint tributaries. Rising 800m above sea level, the river headwaters drain from the south-eastern English Lake District (Cumbria) fells towards Morecambe Bay.
- The River Kent is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as it is home to internationally important populations of the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel, the endangered white-clawed crayfish, bullhead and water crowfoot (Ranunculus) habitat.
- The project will work with local stakeholders to improve existing habitat, decrease the amount of nutrient and sediment run-off within the catchment, control invasive non-native species, re-naturalise the river where it has been modified and increase the distribution of important species.
Project aims
- The five-year project will focus on restoring, reviving and revitalising the River Kent Special Area of Conservation so it is more resilient to environmental pressures, ensuring the survival of the species with the most demanding habitat requirements.
- The project aims to move the River Kent Special Area of Conservation towards Favourable Condition by using a range of river and riparian restoration techniques, controlling invasive alien species using best practice methods and increasing the number and range of the most vulnerable species in the River Kent.
Over five years, the project will:
- Restore the river through weir removal, tree planting, fencing, bank stabilisation, sediment control and removal of invasive non-native species.
- Increase the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel population through a captive breeding and population reinforcement programme.
- Trial new techniques including eDNA surveying, water monitoring and research into host-parasite interactions.
- Engage 30,000 people and raise awareness of the value and function of more natural riverine systems throughout the UK and mainland Europe.
- Provide land management advice and funding for farmers in the River Kent Catchment.
Of course, if we’re going to engage 30,000 people, we need to shout about this amazing project, too, and that’s how you’ve landed here… on our website. It’s the go-to place to keep up to date with all the latest goings-on, as well as find out about upcoming events, volunteering opportunities and more.
You can follow us on social media, too, and don’t hesitate to drop us a line via email if you have any questions – we’d love to hear from you!
