Conservation Accolade For Derby Student
18 October 2007
Mark Owen (pictured right), carrying out work in the River Sence, alongside Dr Tim Jacklin the Environment Agency's Technical Fisheries Specialist for the Trent catchment.
I am absolutely delighted that the work the project team has undertaken has been recognised in this way.
”Mark Owen second year BSc (Hons) Environmental Management student
Television personality Professor David Bellamy has presented a prestigious annual national award to a University of Derby student who has been helping save trout in a UK river.
Mark Owen, 47, who is a second year BSc (Hons) Environmental Management student at the University, won the award alongside Gopsall Fishing Club at the Wild Trout Trust and Orvis Conservation Awards 2007 on Tuesday night. The honours were sponsored by Orvis.
The Wild Trout Trust (WTT) is a registered charity. It is the only national body dedicated to the protection and survival of this fish species, a living – and too often dying – indicator of the health of the landscape around us.
Professor David Bellamy presented the award for the Best Amateur Conservation Project at the National History Museum in London.
Mark was project manager for a volunteer scheme to help increase trout stock in the River Sence in Leicestershire, which runs between the villages of Congerstone and Shackerstone.
He worked alongside the Gopsall Fishing Club, in North West Leicestershire, the Environment Agency, Twycross Zoo, the Grayling Society, Crown Estates and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.
The project centred on restoring a degraded river, tackling bank erosion and drainage, and helping to restore trout numbers in the river.
Mark, from Acresford Road, Overseal, Derbyshire, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the work the project team has undertaken has been recognised in this way.
"It is fantastic to win a national award and we are delighted to have been rewarded for the work we have done. It has been a lot of hard work, but the River Sence is benefiting from the conservation work we have carried out."
As part of the River Sence Habitat Improvement Project which started in 2004 the group concentrated on a three mile stretch of river with key objectives to improve and restore the habitat, and increase biodiversity along the river.
Trout numbers had plummeted for a number of reasons including bank erosion caused by cattle poaching, extensive historical land drainage, dredging and tunnelling of the river.
The group set about organising a host of improvements including cutting back overhanging trees and willows, introducing cattle fencing to prevent livestock damaging the banks of the river. The group also introduced a range of other improvements to boost the conservation and habitats of the area, such as installing otter holts and introducing logs to improve flow and oxygenisation of the water.
In addition to the volunteer project work, Mark has been monitoring fish and invertebrate levels as part of his final year dissertation for his degree project.
Entitled: Investigating the effects of modern in-stream restoration methods on macro invertebrate life and fish diversity, and with support of University of Derby supervisors Dr Phil Carey and Professor Aradhana Mehra, he has been using various academic approaches to chart the project’s success by assessing levels of insects and fish in the river since the work began.
Mark also works as a commodity trader. He is also appointed to the Environment Agency’s Midlands Region Fisheries Ecology and Recreation Advisory committee.
The winning group also received a cheque for £1,500 and a bottle of malt whisky.
The WTT was founded as the Wild Trout Society in 1997 and achieved charitable status in 1999. In the years since, the WTT has established an enviable reputation in the wider conservation field.
The Trust is a favoured partner of the Environment Agency and Natural England, both of which fund some of the Trust’s key conservation projects. In addition, the WTT works with the Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust, the Game Conservancy Trust, the Association of River Trusts and the Loughs Agency in Ireland. It has a respected voice in other forums.
For more details about the Wild Trout Trust contact: www.wildtrout.org.
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For more information about this news release, contact Simon Butt , Press and PR Officer, on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email: s.butt@derby.ac.uk
This press release was written by Deputy Head of Press and PR Simon Redfern on 01332 591942.
