Two officers for new rivers trust

Last updated at 20:39, Thursday, 09 February 2012

West Cumbria Rivers Trust has two new members.

RIVER ROLES: From left: Christine Davey, Ian Creighton and Karin Crofts on the banks of the River Greta at Towns Field, Keswick

Environmental officers Karin Crofts and Christine Davey join project manager Ian Creighton as the trust’s first employees.

The trio will spearhead the trust’s activities to help make a positive impact on the quality of the area’s rivers, lakes and their environs.

The organisation has plans to employ up to 10 people within its first four years of operation.

It covers the whole of the Derwent river system from its source in the Borrowdale fells and spans out to cover rivers along West Cumbria’s coastal strip.

John Wilson, trust chairman and founder member, said: “We envisage a further five to six new environmental roles and we are looking to appoint a full-time education officer as we take our work into the community, local schools and colleges.”

Karin, of Keswick, who will deal with invasive species such as Himalayan balsam, said: “I will be working to raise awareness of the non-native plants that are taking over our riverbanks and in particular I will be working to eradicate Himalayan balsam on the River Derwent.”

She previously worked with the Environment Agency, which is funding her post with the trust, and was later a project officer for Bassenthwaite Reflections.

Christine, of Whitehaven, will be working in a partnership between the trust and Catchment Sensitive Farming to raise awareness of the problems of water pollution from the land. She will be working on the Lower Ehen, Keekle, Black Beck and the River Ellen.

The trust, which was set up last year, aims to improve the environmental quality of rivers and lakes and conserve them, encourage their use as a community resource, and to create employment opportunities and education programmes by working with landowners, farmers and river users.

First published at 19:20, Thursday, 09 February 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk