West Cumbria Rivers Trust have completed their ‘Restoring the Derwent’ project in March, which was funded through the Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

Over the past year, WCRT have worked to deliver nature based solutions and connect people with nature across the Cocker and Glenderamackin catchments.

Through the project, 8.49ha of native woodland has been planted, 4371m hedgerows have been restored, 388 in-river leaky dams have been installed, 355 in-field trees have been planted and 31,500m² of wetlands haven been created.

Project officer Clair Payne says: "We’re so grateful to the 27 landowners who have been involved in this project and we’d like to thank the 12 local contractors who have been crucial in helping us to deliver this project over the past year. We’d also like to thank funders Defra and the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as partners Natural England and the Environment Agency. It’s been so rewarding to see this project completed, and we can’t wait to see what comes next."

Regular volunteer Tom Malone says: "It has been highly enjoyable and rewarding taking part in the volunteer activities, meeting other like-minded people in the community and learning new skills along the way. Knowing the work we have carried out will leave a positive change on the landscape for years to come is fantastic."