Our Eddleston Water Project has received another important accolade – a Gold Standard Award from the River Restoration Centre!
The award was given in recognition of the project’s monitoring and evaluation work, and the influence it has achieved by sharing the benefits of natural flood management techniques. It is the first of only two UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration Sites in the UK and is helping shape policy discussions on flood risk management and biodiversity recovery both nationally and internationally.
The project is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with local farmers and landowners, Scottish Borders Council, the University of Dundee, SEPA, Edinburgh Napier University, British Geological Survey and the surrounding community.
We’re delighted that our important work is being recognised and that it continues to influence and inspire other organisations and policy makers.
Tweed Forum Trustee Prof. Chris Spray (second from left) and staff members Luke Comins (third from left) and Hamish Robertson (second from right) join colleagues from CBEC Eco-Engineering and JBA Consulting in accepting the RRC UK River Prize Gold Award
Over the past 14 years, this unique, multi-partner river restoration and natural flood management project has been collecting evidence of how nature-based solutions can enhance flood resilience, improve biodiversity and help river environments adapt to the effects of the climate crisis. The support of local farmers and landowners has been vital, enabling us to introduce the subtle changes to existing land management practices that are central to the project.
Beyond its local impact, the Eddleston Water Project is gaining global recognition as a model for climate adaptation and sustainable river restoration. As the first of only two designated UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration Sites in the UK, the project contributes to international research on nature-based solutions and is helping shape policy discussions on flood risk management and biodiversity recovery.
The Lake Wood site on the Eddleston Water – where several natural flood management measures are working to reduce flood risk for downstream communities and improve biodiversity
Our TweedWATCH education initiative is hosting a series of interactive events in and around the river at Old Melrose Estate during British Science Week (7-16 March) to inspire future generations about nature, science and conservation.
An Advance Higher Biology Day, run in collaboration with RHET, will give Berwickshire High School students hands-on fieldwork experience, learning from experts at Tweed Forum, BugLife and the Tweed Foundation. From invertebrate identification and moth conservation to wildlife observation and learning about electrofishing, students will explore the fascinating science of nature. This is a pilot event and it’s hoped that other similar sessions can be organised for Borders schools in future.
The event will provide an invaluable opportunity for young people to develop real-world environmental skills and perhaps inspire future careers in science and conservation. We’re delighted to be working with RHET on this important pilot.
Tweed Forum Education and Engagement Officer, Jenny Holmes, takes local school pupils hunting for minibeasts as part of the TweedWATCH education initiative
Our British Science Week programme also includes a visit to Old Melrose Estate by pupils from St Boswells Primary, who will be given an introduction to minibeasts. Burgh Primary will take part in a Tree & Biodiversity Day in their school grounds. We hope our events for younger children will encourage curiosity and a desire to engage with nature.
Congratulations to our 2024 Tweed Forum River Champion, ghillie and passionate conservation advocate, Phil Ellis.
The Tweed Forum River Champion accolade is now in its ninth year and recognises an individual from the Scottish Borders or North Northumberland who has an outstanding commitment to the protection, preservation and enhancement of the natural, built and cultural heritage of the River Tweed catchment.
Phil has been awarded the title in recognition of his important work planting trees and undertaking invasive species control as well as managing the grass on his beat to encourage biodiversity. By carrying out this work, Phil is helping to improve the river environment and provide habitat that supports biodiversity and helps the declining Atlantic salmon population.
You can find out more about Phil and his amazing journey to becoming a modern ghillie in the video below or by visiting our River Champion page.
We are looking to appoint a Woodland Creation Project Officer to develop and deliver targeted native river woodland creation projects that deliver multiple environmental benefits across the Tweed catchment.
Tweed Forum has been a partner in the Riverwoods partnership initiative since its inception, working towards the shared aim of “creating a network of thriving riverbank woodlands and healthy river systems across Scotland”. The most recent development in the Riverwoods initiative is the approval of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting new nationally focused project – Riverwoods: A Blueprint for River Woodland Recovery Project.
Tweed Forum is a key delivery partner of the Blueprint Project, which is hosted by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This role will focus on the development and delivery of targeted native river woodland creation projects that deliver multiple environmental benefits and that also deliver against broader Blueprint Project outputs.
Our new film celebrating 10 years of restoring the River Till reveals how nature-based solutions are helping this very special watercourse and its tributaries recover from 300 years of human impact.
The River Till, whose tributaries include the Breamish, Bowmont-Glen and Wooler Water, is of high conservation and ecological importance. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in recognition of its unique habitats and the presence of protected species including otter, Atlantic salmon, river, brook and sea lamprey and floating vegetation such as water crowfoot.
The film was produced in partnership with the Environment Agency and Natural England and explains how historic management of this north Northumbrian river catchment since the 1700s, including river channel straightening and the introduction of weirs, has resulted in significant degradation and classification of the catchment as being in ‘unfavourable condition’. In response to this, the River Till Restoration Strategy was created by the three organisations in 2013, to restore the natural function and processes of the river system using nature-based solutions and working in partnership with local communities, farms and businesses.
Working alongside landowners, farmers and local communities and building on previous local restoration efforts, successes have included the removal of man-made structures, such as weirs on the Lilburn Burn and on the River Glen at Kirknewton. Man-made structures often affect the ability of fish to travel upstream as well as impacting on the natural functioning of a river. A carefully planned floodplain reconnection and floodbank removal scheme on a section of the River Glen is helping to manage flood risk downstream and allow powerful floodwaters to dissipate over a wider area. In addition to this, where infrastructure has required protection, the Strategy delivery team has been using longer-term, green engineering solutions that mimic traditional engineering methods by harnessing the power of nature. Riverbank trees are also being planted as part of a programme to help reduce erosion, improve water quality and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
The College Burn, a tributary of the River Till in north Northumberland
Working in partnership with Northumbrian Water Ltd, Tweed Forum have helped deliver 185 metres of riverbank restoration on the lower Wooler Water, which forms part of the River Till catchment. The project has involved designing and delivering a green-engineered bank protection solution to replace the failing hard-engineered boulder rip-rap which was installed under emergency measures back in 2012 to protect critical infrastructure following a major flood event.
The new solution, which was designed by cbec eco-engineering and delivered by Haywood Contracting, has involved the installation of over 100-plus timber root wads (trees with the root ball still intact) which were sourced locally from windblow trees following Storm Arwen in 2021. The project has also deployed 80 metres of bio-geotextile protection in the form of rock rolls.
The new solution will not only provide vital ongoing protection for critical infrastructure serving the local community of Wooler in a way that is more sensitive to the designated characteristics of the River Till SSSI/SAC, it will also provide valuable habitat for invertebrates and the juvenile fish that rely on them for food. This restoration work is part of the wider River Till Restoration Strategy.
Some of the work being carried out on the lower Wooler Water (below) with project officer Craig Marshall on site
We’re delighted to announce the launch of the new Destination Tweed website. With all you need to know in one place, the new website allows you to easily explore all the projects being delivered by this amazing initiative and learn about their positive impact along the Tweed, as well as information on volunteering opportunities to suit every age, ability and interest. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from across Destination Tweed’s river, landscape and cultural enhancement work and discover events and activities in your local area. The new website also has information on Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme with funding available for local community projects who have a connection to the River Tweed.
Nominations for our 2024 Tweed Forum River Champion Award close on Friday 6th September. Can you help us find a worthy winner? Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their dedication to protecting and enhancing the River Tweed and its surroundings?
The Award is open to anyone living or working in the Scottish Borders or North Northumberland and their championing of the river can be carried out through their work, through volunteering or any other personal commitment.
Find out more about our previous winners and how to make a nomination on our River Champion page.
The Big River Watch is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with monitoring the health of our rivers. It’s really simple, free to take part and every contribution helps. You can find out more details about this amazing citizen science survey and how to get involved via the Facebook post below or you can go direct to the Big River Watch page.
