Community engagement

Containing both highly urbanised and rural areas, the Clyde catchment presents a variety of challenges for river management. Increased awareness and understanding of river ecology is vital to the stewardship of this freshwater resource. With our extensive outreach programme we seek to engage with schools, community groups, organisations and individuals throughout the catchment in a way that is beneficial to both the health of the community and of the river.

Citizen science

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We have provided training for members of local angling clubs, enabling them to make valuable contributions to our fish sampling programmes (we now have approximately 20 SFCC-qualified electrofishing personnel). Other volunteering opportunities have involved invasive riparian plant surveying and CRIMP.

TCV Scotland apprenticeships

Through partnership work with The Conservation Volunteers Scotland (TCV Scotland) we have trained three apprentices (Riverflies, Headwaters and Natural Communities). We aim to provide useful information and background to our work wherever possible and we view this as an essential part of the success of the River Clyde Fishery Management Plan. This community-focussed outreach work is an increasingly important area of our work. Via the BTCV Scotland Natural Communities programme, our Kelvin Catchment Officer has scoped the need for improved catchment-based communication to support river-based environmental improvements in the River Kelvin catchment. More information on this initiative will follow.