Galloway Rivers Trust

19/06/2026

What a great school! We had a lovely time visiting you.

19/06/2026

Summer job opportunity at Galloway Rivers Trust!

GRT are looking for a summer field work assistant to help our Biologists on various projects and surveys. This paid post will be for 3 months (July - September). Usual working hours will be 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday (with 8 days paid leave). All necessary training and PPE will be provided. This position is suitable for someone who is fit, looking to get environmental experience and likes to work outdoors. The post will be based in Newton Stewart.
To apply please send a brief CV and cover email to [email protected]

Closing date for applications is 30/06/26. Successful candidate needs to have started by 13th July to attend an electrofishing training course.

GRT is a Real Living Wage Employer.

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19/06/2026

As part of SCAMP, Galloway Rivers Trust are working to raise awareness of Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) in coastal areas.

We are asking landowners, land managers, community councils and members of the public to report sightings using the following form ( https://arcg.is/1ryvLi2 )

INNS are a concern due to their impact on native biodiversity and damage to the environment. Species include Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage and Giant hogweed. Once established, these species can be difficult and costly to manage, particularly in dynamic coastal environments where wind, water movement, and human activity can contribute to their spread.

The information gathered will help us understand the scale of the problem and the distribution of these species in order to create an effective management plan in the delivery stage of SCAMP.

Solway Firth Partnership Solway Coast and Marine Project The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere The Southern Uplands Partnership Dumfries and Galloway Council

12/06/2026

We have changed our name to Galloway Rivers Trust! Our work has been expanding into wider catchment management following the belief that naturally functioning watercourses, with good water quality, allow fish and other wildlife to thrive and provides better resilience to climate change impacts. Improving native fish stocks will continue to be a core part of our work, particularly Atlantic salmon.

Our website www.gallowayriverstrust.org clearly articulates our work priorities and ambitions, and these are not changing.

04/06/2026

Volunteers are an important part of the invasive non-native plant species (INNS) control work being undertaken.

As part of the Scottish Solway INNS Control and Knowledge Programme (Phase 2) a group of volunteers have been put through their pesticide application training.

This project has trained a total of 9 volunteers and landowners in pesticide application training. Having trained individuals on the ground is key for a long term control strategy.

If you wish to know more about volunteering on this project do not hesitate to get in touch with Tracy on [email protected]

This work is delivered as part of the GFT 'Scottish Solway INNS Control & Knowledge Programme' which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland

29/05/2026

GFT are pleased to announce the winner of the spring photography competition for the River Annan Restoration Project, 11 year old Jack Carrathers with his brilliant picture of a grey heron. Jack is a budding wildlife photographer with clear dedication and skill in showcasing the nature along the Annan catchment.

We would like to thank all the entries to the competition, some absolutely excellent shots which really showcased the beauty along the river. All the finalist’s photos can be found on our project page: https://riverannanrestoration.org/photography-competition-winner/

Special thanks to NatureScot and The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland for helping to fund this aspect of the project, alongside the Flutterbyte team for showcasing the work on the website.

27/05/2026

Kirkinner Primary Education Session

Yesterday, Tracy and Sophie spent a wonderful sunny afternoon at Kirkinner Primary School, where they had a lovely time chatting to the children about invasive non-native species (INNS). Education and community outreach are a big part of our ‘Scottish Solway INNS Control & Knowledge Programme’, so it was brilliant to see such enthusiasm and engagement from all the pupils as they enjoyed learning all about invasive species and what they can do to help stop the spread. The children also had great fun taking part in a series of INNS-themed outdoor games, and each received a copy of our INNS book and activity sheet illustrated by local artist, Helen Ryman, that supports the Curriculum for Excellence.

Thank you again to Kirkinner Primary for having us! We look forward to continuing our education programme and visiting more schools in the upcoming weeks.

If you would like to know more about our school projects or find out how you can get involved, please get in touch with Tracy on [email protected].

This work is delivered as part of the GFT 'Scottish Solway INNS Control & Knowledge Programme' which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland

26/05/2026

We are extremely pleased that the Himalayan balsam rust fungus on the trail site on the Annan catchment has successfully overwintered.

CABI visited the trial site two weeks ago and confirmed the presence of overwintered rust spores growing on the stems of Himalayan balsam. These spores are in early developmental stages. To help with the rust establishing, we will be applying more spores on further leaves later this season.

This rust fungus is highly specific and exclusively attacks Himalayan balsam plants and as it expands within a balsam population it reduces these plants' vigour and seed production, allowing native species to become dominant again. This method of control has undergone extensive testing and is licensed by DEFRA and NatureScot.

This work is delivered as part of the GFT 'Scottish Solway INNS Control & Knowledge Programme' which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland

25/05/2026

CLOSING DATE NOON FRIDAY!

A paid internship is available from July to December 2026 (26 weeks) to work with Galloway Fisheries Trust supporting various work programmes including Riverwoods development to expand riparian woodlands, environmental surveys, education and public engagement work.

For more details see - https://gallowayfisheriestrust.org/news.php?nID=1337

The candidate must be fit, motivated, hardworking and willing to work outdoors during all weather conditions. A full valid driving licence is required. The position will be based at Newton Stewart.
This full time, fixed term intern post is a wonderful opportunity for a recent graduate with a conservation or environmental degree. It is a funding condition that the intern must be a young person aged up to and including 25 years old.

Salary will be £470.75 a week (real living wage). Closing date for applications is noon 28th May 2026, with face to face interviews held on 3rd June 2026 in Newton Stewart.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]
This internship is supported by Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, Cultural Glenkens, Riverwoods and The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

A paid internship is available from July to December 2026 (26 weeks) to work with Galloway Fisheries Trust supporting various work programmes.

23/05/2026

Today marks World Fish Migration Day – a day to celebrate the importance of migratory fish.

Each year, thousands of fish migrate into the rivers of Dumfries and Galloway. Some fish, for example salmon and sparling, return to their native habitat to spawn whilst others including European eel often migrate into rivers to complete part of their lifecycle before returning to spawn at sea. Migratory fish undertake journeys ranging from a few, to thousands of kilometers.

Migratory fish face many threats including over-fishing, pollution, and barriers that prevent their migration consequently blocking important habitat. At GFT conservation initiatives to protect migratory fish include:

- Barrier removal including the removal of a weir on the Old Mill Burn (tributary of the Tarff Water) in 2016, and mitigation measures such as fish passes and alterations to existing structures.
- Restoring spawning ground and juvenile habitat through initiatives including gravel augmentation, the addition of woody debris, and riparian tree planting to provide dappled shade cover.
- A European eel study and restoration project that will monitor elver returns, gather important data, and translocate eels trapped at the bottom of Tongland Dam.
- Surveying and monitoring the River Cree Sparling population to investigate population health and how to increase their numbers and distribution.

For more information, please head to our website www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org and subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.