Last month, the River Restoration Centre (RRC) annual conference took place in Newport, Wales. Bringing together a wide range of practitioners and researchers to explore current approaches and emerging tools for river restoration, the conference was a great opportunity for attendees to learn and network through talks, demonstrations and meeting with like-minded peers.
For RSK Biocensus, the event was attended by Rebecca Cox and William Pelham, Senior Aquatic Consultants, and Chris Gardner, Associate Director, all soaking in the knowledge on offer across the two-day event. On the first day, the team enjoyed talks on species introduction, focusing on the importance of beavers, restoring freshwater pearl mussels in South Wales rivers, and reintroducing burbot in Norfolk. During the last talk, given by Reagan Pearce, Jonah Tosney and Scott McKenzie, the team learned about the complex habitat requirements for this species, including their reliance on floodplains and part of their life cycle, as well as their potential to rebuild bio-abundance due to the production of thousands of eggs, which would have historically provided a natural feeding event.
At the tail end of the first day were further talks covering new science and modelling for water quality monitoring, including sensor‑based sondes which were used to track sewage using fecal indicator organisms as genetic markers to distinguish human and agricultural sources. Nature‑based solutions were also discussed, such as constructed wetlands particularly for secondary waste treatment as the wetland plants enhance nutrient uptake and microbial processes; in addition to installing floating plant beds in urban rivers to enhance habitat complexity in an otherwise artificial setting.
The first day of the event closed with the highly anticipated awards dinner, a great chance for the attendees to celebrate successes while winding down and preparing for day two.
The stream of knowledge continued on the second day, with demonstrations of new tools to support desk‑based surveys and restoration planning, including AI‑assisted historic mapping of lost watercourses, databases that integrate water company and citizen science data, as well as tools that identify impacts and pressures on specific species by reach, and historic floodplain maps to guide restoration opportunities.
In addition to enjoying the two days of the event, there were many lessons-learned-take-aways for the attendees. Many of the talks demonstrated a positive attitude towards sharing work that didn’t go according to plan or didn’t have the desired benefit: those given by Edward Flemings and Matt Parr highlighted that sometimes we often overcomplicate solutions to river restoration, and sometimes all that is needed is higher level interventions to steer or help kickstart natural processes.
The team returned from the event overflowing with enthusiasm. When asked about the experience, Rebecca said: “The conference was both informative and encouraging, highlighting national programmes alongside local projects, including one close to my own neighborhood with case studies showcasing what is possible in both rural and restricted city settings. Inspired, I took the long way home to participate in the Big River Watch, contributing data to support wider river monitoring efforts.”
The event was fantastic, and we can’t wait until next year!