£247,000 National Lottery Boost for Roots in the River Project
An environmental charity has received National Lottery funding for a project that aims to connect people with the natural and industrial heritage of local watercourses. The Roots in the River initiative is led by the Aire Rivers Trust, backed by a £247,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Project Scope and Location
The 18-month project will focus on waterways including the River Worth through Keighley, Fagley Beck, and several smaller becks in the Bradford area.
Purpose and Activities
A spokesperson explained the significance of these watercourses:
"From the time of the Industrial Revolution, these watercourses have been heavily altered, yet the becks and rivers are vital wildlife corridors – connecting habitats and enabling species movement. They're also valuable spaces for our communities to access nature locally."
The project will involve walks, talks, practical volunteering, and other activities to emphasize the link between natural and industrial heritage while encouraging river and beck restoration.
Community Involvement
The initiative will prioritize inclusion of communities historically underrepresented in environmental activities, especially those less likely to visit local rivers. The spokesperson added:
"We are calling on people from the areas concerned to contact us so that we can design and deliver nature activities at the watercourses."
Summary
This project highlights the crucial role of rivers and becks in ecology and community engagement, aiming to restore habitats while fostering greater local involvement in nature conservation.
Author’s summary: The Roots in the River project, funded by a £247,000 National Lottery grant, seeks to restore local waterways and engage underrepresented communities through nature-based activities.