Ribble Rivers Trust

23/06/2026

🌸 Himalayan balsam: nature's super spreader 🌸

Himalayan balsam was introduced to the UK by Victorian plant collectors who brought it back from, you guessed it, the Himalayas.

Today, it’s one of the most widespread invasive plants in the UK.

You can identify it by:
🌸 bright pink helmet-shaped flowers
🌿 hollow stems that can grow to over 2 meters
💥 seed pods that burst when touched

At first glance, it can seem harmless.

But its impact is significant:
🌱 it forms dense stands that smother native plants
🐝 it outcompetes wildflowers, reducing plant diversity
🌊 its shallow roots mean riverbanks become unstable in winter
💥 its seeds can travel up to 7 metres and spread rapidly along rivers

That’s why we organise balsam pulling sessions across the catchment, working with volunteers to remove it before it seeds.

You can help by:
✅ pulling plants before they flower and seed
✅ joining volunteer sessions
✅ cleaning boots and equipment between sites

23/06/2026

Hot weather isn’t just tough for us- it’s tough for wildlife too.

As temperatures rise, rivers, ponds and green spaces can come under real pressure. Water levels drop, habitats shrink, and animals have to work harder to stay cool and find food.

The good news is that there are simple ways we can all help.

Here are a few easy things you can do:
💧 Put out water for wildlife- a shallow dish can be a lifeline for birds, insects and small mammals
🌱 Create shade and cover- longer grass, hedges and plants help creatures stay cool
🪵 Leave quiet, wild spaces- log piles and undisturbed corners give wildlife somewhere to shelter
🚿 Top up your pond- rainwater from a water butt is best, but a little tap water is fine too
🌿 Water at the right time- early morning or evening helps plants and insects

Small changes like these help support the wider ecosystem, including rivers, by keeping habitats connected and giving wildlife a better chance during dry periods.

👉 Read more:
ribbletrust.org.uk/5-tips-for-keeping-wildlife-cool/

22/06/2026

Giant hogweed: one of the UK’s most dangerous invasive plants ⚠️

Giant hogweed was introduced to the UK as an ornamental garden plant, prized for its huge size.

But it didn’t stay contained for long and has since spread widely along riverbanks and waste ground.

You can spot it by:
🌿 huge white “umbrella” flower heads
🌿 thick green stems with purple blotches and coarse hairs
🌿 large, jagged leaves
🌿 often growing up to 5 metres tall

But it’s more than just invasive- it’s dangerous too.
⚠️ its sap causes painful burns and long-term sensitivity when exposed to sunlight
🌱 it outcompetes native plants by blocking sunlight, reducing biodiversity
🌊 when it dies back in winter, riverbanks are left exposed increasing erosion and sedimentation

Each plant can produce up to 50,000 seeds, which are easily spread by water, making it incredibly difficult to control once established.

At Ribble Rivers Trust, we work to manage and control giant hogweed in strategic locations to reduce its spread and protect both people and the environment.

👉 You can help by:
🌿 never touching or disturbing the plant
🌿 reporting your sightings at innsmapper.org/
🌿 Checking, Cleaning and Drying boots and equipment after visiting waterways

Because preventing its spread is safer and easier than dealing with it later.

22/06/2026

What an incredible challenge 👏

On 27 June, Matt from Field & Fire Coffee is taking on the full Ribble Way, a 72 mile journey, to support the work we do across the Ribble catchment.

We’re really grateful to Matt for taking on such an ambitious challenge and helping raise awareness of our work to improve rivers, restore habitats, and protect this landscape for the future.

If you’re able to support Matt, it all makes a difference.

👉 Please head to the original post for full details and how to get involved.

Thank you Matt!

On 27 June, Matt is taking on the full Ribble Way.

That's 72 miles from the source of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales to the estuary near Preston in one stubborn effort.

As founder of Field & Fire, Matt spends a lot of time enjoying the landscapes the Ribble Valley has to offer. This challenge is about celebrating the place we call home while supporting the people helping to protect it for future generations.

Matt is raising money for Ribble Rivers Trust, whose work helps improve water quality, restore habitats and protect the river and surrounding environment that so many of us enjoy.

The fundraising goal is £3,000, with every donation supporting conservation work across the Ribble catchment.

If you'd like to support the challenge, donate through the link in our bio. And if you'd like to join Matt for a few miles along the route, you'd be more than welcome.

Thank you for your support.

19/06/2026

Funding opportunities are coming!

With the next SFI window expected soon, and Countryside Stewardship opening later, now is the time for farmers to get ready.

This funding is always snapped up quickly, and we want to help make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities that could support your farm.

Here’s how to prepare 👇
✅ Review which options best suit your farm.
✅ Check you have the required endorsements for options that need them.
✅ Update your digital maps with land parcels and features.
✅ Check your details are accurate on the Rural Payments Service.
✅ Confirm permissions if a land agent or someone else is applying on your behalf

Countryside Stewardship is expected to open in July 2026- so now is a good time to start exploring which options you may want to apply for.

The earlier you begin planning, the easier the application process will be.

👉 We could help you navigate these options and identify what works for your farm. Call our farm team for free, confidential advice on 01200 444452

18/06/2026

Our rivers need you! 🫵

Join us as we investigate why our the Edisford Bridge Bathing Water is failing to meet water quality standards.

First session 👇

📅 Thursday 25th June
🕙10 am – 3.30 pm
📍Ribble Rivers Trust offices, Clitheroe, BB7 4QF.
👉 tickettailor.com/events/ribbleriverstrust

This work feeds directly into our projects, where improving water and habitat quality will support wildlife for years to come 🩵

18/06/2026

Connected habitats are healthy habitats.

And healthy habitats are vital for biodiversity.

Across the Ribble catchment we want to see a mosaic of different habitats, which all support different species of wildlife and provide their own benefits for rivers

💧 Wetlands filter pollutants and sediment from the water
🌳 Trees keep our water and air clean, and provide shade to keep water cool
🦔 Hedgerows provide homes and highways for wildlife
💦 Peatlands reduce flood risk and support a host of specially adapted flora and fauna
🌻 Grasslands and meadows keep our pollinators healthy and well fed

But if these habits aren’t connected, then wildlife can’t move around easily, hindering their chances of breeding, or finding refuge if their homes are damaged.

A huge part of the Ribbble catchment is farmland, so it makes sense for us to work with landowners to create these habitats and make them more interconnected.

Our farm advisors team work on the ground with farmers, to deliver free, confidential farm advice so nature work as part of the farm business.

17/06/2026

Water quality is one of the core issues our rivers face.

But the good news is that our farmers are part of the solution.
💧 Wetland and woodland creation help to capture pollutants
🌳 Hedgerows and buffer strips reduce sediment inputs.
🌊 Reconnecting floodplains slow water and reduce downstream pressure

Actions like harvesting rainwater and separating clean and dirty water can help farmers save time, money, and fuel.

Of course, all of these improvements are great for wildlife and biodiversity.

Wading birds make their homes alongside livestock, who also benefit from the shade and shelter the new habitats offer.

16/06/2026

What does working with farmers look like on the ground? 🤔

Across the Ribble catchment, we work alongside farmers to deliver practical changes that benefit both farms and rivers:
💦 wetlands, ponds, and scrapes
🌳 woodlands and hedgerows
🌧️reconnected floodplains
💧 better rainwater management
🌾 healthier soils

Farming is one of the largest land uses in the Ribble catchment, so working with farmers for habitat creation is vital.

It’s about integrating nature into working farms, supporting wildlife and biodiversity alongside livestock and crops.

👉 We could help you find water friendly solutions for your farm. Call our farm team for free, confidential advice on 01200 444452