Riverfly Partnership Training Day

Project monitoring in the Yorkshire Ribble

This Riverfly Training Event is targeted at those who reside or can travel to the Yorkshire area of the Ribble catchment. Ribble Rivers Trusts are currently undertaking many river restoration projects funded by the Species Survial Fund (DEFRA) around Settle and Long Preston, Yorkshire, we are looking for volunteers who would be interested in monitoring the impact of these projects through Riverfly monitoring (water quality), please get in touch if you have any queries.

The event will be run by Luke Sherwood, who is the Freshwater Scientist at the Ribble Rivers Trust and a qualified riverfly instructor. The event is restricted to 12 people in line with the Riverfly Partnership guidelines, so early booking is essential! Once trained, attendees will be asked to carry out monitoring for our river restoration projects, but can still adopt their own personal site to perform monthly monitoring at a set location which we'll help you to choose (a monitoring session typically takes 2 hours). 

Course Content:

• An introduction to the Riverfly Partnership and why collecting data about riverfly invertebrates is so important
• How it can give an insight into the quality of the water and the surrounding habitats
• Identification techniques required to identify the 8 groups of invertebrates you will record
• A visit to the Swinden Gill Beck, where you will get the opportunity to show off your sampling technique and skills (this requires a short walk and entering the river)
• The gathered sample will be taken back to the training venue and together we will identify the species found and record them

You will need to bring a packed lunch, warm and waterproof clothing, and wellington boots or waders. All other equipment will be provided. Hot and cold drinks will be available throughout the day. If you have any questions please get in touch at volunteering@ribbletrust.com or call 01200 444452.

Please note that depending on the weather and other factors, we may finish slightly earlier than 4.00pm.

Location:
The training session will take place at Jamie's Farm (Haugh Field Farm), Coniston Cold, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 4EH.

The site can be tricky to navigate, so please take care to follow the directions (you'll receive full directions when you book) and have a good look at a map before you set off.