Plans to involve the local community in caring for Nantwich’s watercourses provided the subject for the first of a series of free public lectures being held by University Centre Reaseheath (UCR).
The lecture, presented by Pete Attwood, Volunteer and Training Co-ordinator at Groundwork Cheshire attracted an audience of residents, representatives from local organisations and college students and staff.
The ‘Love My River’ Project was set up in Northwich to raise awareness of local rivers and watercourses and to involve the community in looking after them. It has been so successful that there are plans to extend the scheme into Nantwich this year.
Early talks have been held with potential partners Reaseheath College and Cheshire Wildlife Trust and there are further plans to develop a network of partnerships, projects and funding proposals in the area, leading to volunteering and student opportunities.
Volunteers help to monitor the condition of the river and take part in practical action to improve them. This includes surveys to identify problems, chemical, physical and biological testing on water quality to support the Environment Agency, and practical actions such as tree planting, litter picks and controlling non-native invasive species.
The second lecture, to be held this Thursday, March 15, is by Cat Barton, Chester Zoo’s Field Conservation Manager. Cat will describe Chester Zoo’s bid to make Chester the world’s first ‘Sustainable Palm Oil City’ – part of the zoo’s campaign to help protect South East Asian rainforests, which are threatened by the spread of oil palm plantations.
LAST FEW TICKETS REMAINING
Click here to register your place and to view more information about the full list of lectures.
