The Clyde River Foundation has partnered with BTCV Scotland in recent years to host two apprentices via BTCV Scotland’s Natural Talent scheme.

In 2009, we hosted the BTCV Scotland Natural Talent Riverfly Apprentice, Louis Kitchen. During this 15 month post Louis gained a wealth of experience studying the taxonomy and ecology of riverflies and other freshwater invertebrates – including a detailed study of the invertebrates of the River Clyde in Spring 2009 – working with us and with various other freshwater and environmental organisations across the UK. He was also involved in the delivery of numerous educational events and workshops. Following the apprenticeship Louis continued to work with the CRF on a study of upland mayflies part-funded by a Freshwater Biological Association Hugh Carey Gilson Award. He is now Riverfly Officer for The Riverfly Partnership and is based with the Clyde River Foundation.

Our second apprentice Lesley Gregg has recently completed an 18 month training placement, during which she designed her own headwater ecology project in the Clyde catchment. Lesley is now a member of staff and resident biologist at the Clyde River Foundation. You can read about Lesley’s placement on page 8 of BTCV Scotland’s 2011 Spring Network Bulletin.

BTCV Scotland Natural Talent Blog

In February 2011, the Clyde River Foundation commenced a year long placement as part of BTCV Scotland‘s innovative new ‘Natural Communities’ programme. Nick Underdown took on a new role as Kelvin Catchment officer to assist with the Kids and the Kelvin project, scope the need for a River Kelvin network and develop community environmental engagement skills. Read page 4 of BTCV Scotland’s 2011 Winter Network Bulletin for an article which provides an overview of the placement: ‘Supporting river-based communities.’

BTCV Scotland Natural Communities Blog

In 2011, the FSBI established an annual competition to fund summer undergraduate internships for student members. In the summer of 2011, James Baird was successful in his application to study the following topic:

The bullhead (Cottus gobio) in Scotland: invasive, non-native species and/or an example of ex-situ conservation.

The project is hosted by the University of Glasgow and supervised by Dr Willie Yeomans of the Clyde River Foundation and Professor Bob Furness.

Bullhead research