Climate change, poor water quality, flooding, drought, pollution and habitat loss are all environmental issues we are facing. For positive change, we need to start looking at how we can work together and go above and beyond the statutory requirements of our organisations to develop a holistic view of landscape…

Water governance arrangements are considered by many to be a significant barrier to implementing improvements to the water environment.  Across the Northwest, the situation is complex as there are multiple political boundaries to consider, plus many stakeholders and organisations with responsibilities. Water governance is a key theme for Natural Course,…

Natural Course is a collaboration made up of the Environment Agency, Natural England, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Rivers Trust and United Utilities.  The project has brought these organisations together to design projects to better understand and overcome some of the biggest barriers to implementation of the North West River…

Work has taken place on Eagley Brook in Bolton to remove a weir, marking another step in the journey of improving rivers and waterbodies across the North West of England for Natural Course. The work has opened over two kilometres of the brook, allowing fish like Brown Trout to pass…

During her recent visit to the North West seeing partnership working in action, the Environment Agency’s Chair, Emma Howard Boyd was given the opportunity to find out more about the new CLIMB initiative. The recently launched CLIMB (Challenging Links Integrating Multiple Benefits) was showcased as the exciting new approach to…

A forum, organised by the Catchment Data User Group (CDUG), took place on the 27th September 2018, to grow the capacity of the Catchment Partnerships and to ensure that the catchment management work is underpinned by robust data and evidence. A wide range of representatives from local CaBA partnerships and…

Work starts today (6 July) to remove Ennerdale Mill Dam Weir on the River Ehen at Egremont after evidence found it is failing. Removal will allow upstream and downstream migration of fish, including Atlantic salmon, for the first time in more than 250 years. Once up and running, the weir…

Over two years ago the Natural Course project began its 10-year journey on the EU LIFE funded project. Since starting the project in October 2015, a few highlights include hosting a Water Platform event and supporting the GM Natural Capital Group Annual Conference, planting 12,000 trees, surveying 40km of urban…

On April 30th, a workshop took place at Wyre Estuary Country Park, to work with local partners in the area to decide on a vision for the future of the Wyre catchment. The Environment Agency, Wyre Borough Council, Wyre Rivers Trust, Natural England, Forestry Commission and United Utilities attended the…