Exciting News: Wetlands Are Coming to Jamie’s Farm!
We are delighted to announce that we have officially commenced a new project under our Ribble Revival: Room for Rivers program at Jamie’s Farm (Haugh Field Farm). With generous funding from Defra and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this marks our third initiative following the successful completion of the Holden Wetland and our fish pass project along Bezza Brook.
Partnering with Jamie’s Farm
Jamie’s Farm serves as a vibrant hub. The Farms work to engage young people from various schools in hands-on agricultural experiences while fostering a strong sense of community through shared meals and a legacy program. So, it’s no wonder Ribble Rivers Trust are so excited to collaborate with Jamies Farm!
Together, we’ll work to educate and involve these young individuals in the importance of our conservation efforts, and they’ll participate in activities such as riverfly monitoring, water sampling, and tree planting, gaining valuable insights into environmental stewardship.
What Will We Be Doing?
Our project will involve the creation of multiple wetlands. Firslty, we’ll create three interconnected wetland pools fed by the existing water channel. Then, we will construct timber weirs and a stone ‘riprap’ spillway between the pools. The water will then flow into a newly deculverted section of the watercourse, enhancing the natural flow.
In addition, we will develop a larger wetland area with both deep and shallow zones, with plans for planting in the upcoming year. We will also create shallow floodplain wetland scrapes designed to collect and retain water through the winter, gradually allowing it to recede in the summer. This will establish optimal feeding grounds for wading birds.
The work at Jamie’s Farm will help us towards our ambitious goals, aiming to deculvert and daylight 1.21 km of streams and create and restore 5.98 hectares of wetlands in this project.
Why Are Wetlands and Deculverting Important?
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that face increasing threats. By creating these wetlands at Jamie’s Farm, we will provide essential habitats for a diverse range of species, including insects, amphibians, birds, and potentially mammals.
Moreover, removing culverts will restore natural light to the watercourse, benefiting aquatic plants, fish, and invertebrates. This process will improve bank profiles and diversify habitats, helping to return the watercourse to a more natural state where flora and fauna can thrive.
We are enthusiastic about the positive impact this project will have on both the environment and the community! Stay tuned for more updates as we make progress on this exciting initiative.
