Keeping The Ribble Cool

The project seeks to increase the amount and connectivity of riparian woodland within the Ribble Catchment by fencing and tree planting significant areas of river banks to restore river and stream habitat. The trees will provide watercourse shading to address adapt current water temperatures issues and prepare river ecosystems for forecasted increases in temperature due to climate change. Additional (and equally important) benefits of the work include increased habitat for riverine species, the exclusion of livestock (specifically their faeces) thus improving bathing waters, reduced diffuse and sediment pollution by increasing vegetation cover and buffering overland flow, and reduced flood risk through increased surface roughness and the improved water percolation into soil that trees provide.