Between 2022 and 2024, the LLFT undertook an ambitious project centred on the middle Endrick Water riparian zone which extended to the wider catchment. This project addressed invasive non-native species colonisation, the erosion of riverbanks, overgrazing, sources of diffuse pollution, sediment wash out and the loss of riparian zones.
By working collaboratively with land owners across the catchment, we created spaces for nature and with the accompanying new land management practises these will deliver long term benefits to both landowners and local biodiversity. Part of this process was the re-establishment of lost wildlife corridors and spaces which reconnected fragmented habitats.
Our hedgerow and riparian tree planting will provide a long term seed stock for future natural regeneration as well as act to intercept rainfall, slow rain water run off, stabilise the riverbanks, provide new habitats and a source of shade, nutrient and food input for fish species.
Brash banking, willow spiling and bank re-profiling has been used to restore a number of sections of degraded riverbank. This work has removed significant sources of sediment input, provided new and diverse habitats for wildlife and contributed to rebalancing natural river processes.
Finally, the control of Invasive non-native species, and the exclusion of livestock has already created areas that are seeing native vegetation regeneration and which we hope will allow pollinators to flourish in the years to come.
