Weardale Environmental Trust

The group set up for the conservation, protection, rehabilitation, reclamation, remediation, restoration and improvement of the landscape in Weardale. The funding requested is to cover the continuing development of a publicly accessible nature reserve at Low Bat near Stanhope. The Trust is currently working to provide a safe access along the riverbank and has previously undertaken willow revetment work to stabilise the loose and eroded riverside. The Trust wishes to provide a further 20 metres of revetment to the site and purchase a hide/viewing platform to observe a pool on the river which is used by a migrating osprey.
The revetment work consists of driving fresh winter cut willow into the riverbank. Withies are then woven between the stakes to form a dense continuous mat capable of supporting the existing riverbank. This work is best carried out between November and February.