River Ecology 101 training is underway & oversubscribed!

We’re delighted that 45 local people undertook Love Our Ouse’s new free River Ecology 101 training course in April at Bluebell Railway and the Railway Land in Lewes.

The one-day intensive free community course is packed with Ouse education! So much knowledge was handed down from our super-duper ecologist Sandra Manning-Jones, with lots of local knowledge and observations shared in the room. 

Learning is to be put into practice with attendees completing a baseline survey for a section of the Ouse, using a suite of resources, and then monitoring that stretch of river over time. This will help build a community of knowledge and eco-forensic evidence to uphold the river’s right to be healthy. 

Feedback so far

We’ve already had lots of positive feedback to the River Ecology 101 training. One attendee commented: “Really interesting and inspiring. Have learned so much. Has made me feel quite sad but want to do something. Feel like this is just the starter. So much more we could learn.”

It’s been really incredible to spend quality time with so many people keen to learn and act for their local river. We have been bowled over by the number of people wanting to take up the free training – double the amount we could offer places to. 

What’s happening next

We are in the process of securing a date for Newhaven plus resourcing an additional session to cater for the 45 people currently on the waiting list. We are developing more citizen science offerings to build on the enthusiasm and desperate need to take positive action to improve the river’s health. River people power!

Thank you to Ouse Valley Climate Action and the National Lottery for also funding this project.

Find out more and see dates for further training sessions at:
https://loveourouse.org/projects/citizen-science/