Citizens scientists helping the River Axe gain national recognition

Three Devon-based volunteers with Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) have been recognised for their freshwater habitat conservation efforts in a national nomination scheme.

Vicky Whitworth and Mike Kent, who have been helping to clean up and encourage widlife in the River Axe, and Hannah Pearson, who does the same with the River Dart, are part WRT's flagship Westcountry Citizen Science Investigations (CSI) project.

They have gained River Champions status from the UK's River Restoration Centre, which provides information and advice on best practice restoration and management of rivers and their catchments.

Jack Middleton, WRT's CSI co-ordinator said: "We are delighted our volunteers have had their dedication to looking after their local waterways recognised.

"They are a shining example of all our river champions from across the region and we are very proud of them."

The River Champions accolade celebrates the outstanding efforts of individuals contributing to river restoration in their area and dedicating time outside of their day-to-day lives to improving rivers for wildlife and people.

Vicky Whitworth monitors and surveys sites in the Kit Brook in the Chardstock area,a tributary of the River Axe, and encourages the community to do the same by recruiting other volunteers in her catchment, while also organising events, training workshops, and fundraising for CSI equipment.

She said: "When I heard, I was so astounded I shed a tear, and I still haven't quite got my head around it as I have never been nominated for anything in my life.

"This is for everyone involved in the Kit Brook River Restoration project too, which is funded by the Environment Agency and Blackdown Hills AONB, as my Westcountry CSI water quality monitoring feeds into this."

Mike Kent acts as a catchment co-ordinator across the Axe catchment identifying potential sample points, with a vision to see people water sampling from source to sea for maximum coverage and understanding.

He said: "This vision is also shared by the Axe Vale Rivers Association and is becoming a reality in the area due to the commitment of the citizen science volunteers and the support from the Environment Agency, Blackdown Hills, East Devon and Dorset AONBs."

Along with CSI monitoring of the River Dart, Hannah, who said she is "delighted" to have been nominated, is aiming to secure the river's place as one of a few designated bathing water sites nationwide by working with the community, NGOs, related water organisations, landowners, and farmers.

She said: "It is a real honour to have our work recognised and is a win for the whole Friends of the Dart team."

Jack of Westcountry Rivers Trust added: "It's important for us to share how vital our volunteers' support is and we hope these accolades will do just that, inspiring everyone to carry on bringing rivers to life with us and encouraging others to take part too."

To celebrate, the River Champions will attend the River Restoration Centre's 2023 UK River Prize Awards dinner on Wednesday, April 19 online and in Birmingham.

Visit wrt.org.uk/westcountry-csi to find out more about CSI volunteering across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and into Dorset or to donate in support of the water quality testing kits which cost £30.