Article from Ribble Rivers Trust: 14th August 2024
Earlier this year, the Ribble Rivers Trust and other conservation projects received grants from the Species Survival Fund with the aim to enable the restoration of over 3,300 hectares of critical habitat.
The grant supports the Ribble Revival: Room for Rivers programme which is set to rejuvenate the Ribble catchment, by targeting strategic locations benefiting river species and local communities.
The team has been hard at work since they received the go ahead. Now, the team are excited to announce the newly completed wetland adjacent to Holden Beck. This is the first of several projects planned across the catchment over the next two years, and a great start in hitting the target of creating 7.63 hectares of wetland and riparian habitat.
Wetlands habitats are under threat, not just in England, but globally. Numbers are declining, yet they are vital for both wildlife and people. The newly created Holden wetland located on Spencer farm is approximately 2km upstream of the Holden Clough village weir. Covering 800 square meters and holding up to 1100 cubic meters of water, the wetland consists of two connected ponds in a naturally wet grassland area.
In addition to providing a haven for the local wildlife, the wetland will provide a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs) delivering Natural Flood Management (NFM) benefits for the area. The wetland will increase storage capacity in the area, temporarily storing water during storm events, and reduce peak flows and surface runoff in the area. The excess stored water will then drain into Holden beck at a slower rate.
Beyond the benefits of NFM for the local inhabitants, the NFM will support the critical habitat for rare and endangered species such as Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and European eels within Holden Beck. The heavy rains and flash floods currently threaten these species. Particularly during their juvenile stages, by rapidly raising river levels and washing away young fish.
Speaking of wildlife, the wetland’s careful design features with sloping sides for easy access and a variety of depths, providing a sanctuary for a range of wildlife. In time, we expect to see insects, amphibians, birds and potentially mammals making homes here.
On a previous project, once the wetland has been created, Ribble Rivers Trust would intervene and plug plant pond plants. However, with the Holden wetland they are taking an alternative approach. This time, they have re-seeded the banks with a native grass and wildflower mix, but they won’t be plug planting. They will be leaving the surrounding area to rewild, providing an interesting opportunity to see what colonises the new habitat without human intervention.
In addition, they are expecting significant changes within the first year of the wetland being created. Therefore, their Data and Evidence team will be busy completing habitat and species ecological survey, including bat surveys. Making use of fixed-point photography to gather information about water levels, establishment of vegetation, and the wonderful animals using the newly created wetland.
Of course, the team would like to get the community involved were possible! They aim to complete “Pond netting” ecological surveys next year, with local volunteers involved and show case their amazing findings.
Holden Wetland is the first of many projects to come as part of Ribble Revival: Room for Rivers. Funds for this work have been made available by the Species Survival Fund, a £25 million fund aims to enable the restoration of over 3,300 hectares of habitats. Wildlife charities, farmers, and community groups will all receive grants for their projects. Each will accelerate nature recovery and support precious species. The National Lottery Heritage Fund will deliver the Species Survival Fund on behalf of Defra. Twenty projects have benefitted, including Ribble Rivers Trust, who will receive a grant for £1.65 million.
