Overdue: 34 days
Public benefits
Purposes 1. To conserve, protect, rehabilitate and improve the rivers, streams, watercourses and water impoundments of the catchment comprising the river Lagan and rivers of Belfast Lough, including adjacent estuarine and coastal areas, for the advancement of environmental protection and improvement for the benefit of the public. 2. To advance
the education of the public, any association, institution, community, voluntary organisation, company, local authority, administrative or government agency or public body or representative body in:- A. the understanding of rivers, river corridors, and river catchments including their fauna, flora, biodiversity, economic or social activity, and catchment management. B. the need for, and benefits of, conservation, protection, rehabilitation and improvement of aquatic environments. The Trustees of Lagan Rivers Trust believe the public benefits from the given purposes are satisfied. The direct benefits which flow from purpose one include: a cleaner, healthy water environment which can be accessed and enjoyed by the population of the greater Lagan Valley area, (as defined by the river catchment from the source at Slieve Croob to the mouth of Belfast Lough,and all rivers flowing into this area) as well as the general population of N. Ireland, visitors and tourists. improved habitat for wildlife and fish (some of which are in decline e.g. salmon, sea-trout,eels, lamprey), leading to improved recreational benefits for the population defined above, and reconnecting the urban dwellers with the local natural environment. restoration of areas of rivers which were impacted by industrial damage and pollution to a more natural state, while promoting sustainability for any future development. The direct benefits from purpose two include: an improved understanding, enjoyment, and involvement in the local water habitat, with resultant “ownership” of care. a change in attitude or view of the river from “somewhere to dispose of waste” to a place to enjoy and take care of, thus creating useful amenity space enabling and supporting new groups, sporting (including fishing,canoeing, birding, cycling, walking,) clubs, school projects, scientific studies will bring long term benefits in education, knowledge, health, cross community development, sustainable future development, and civic participation. a more sympathetic attitude to the development and use of the river corridors from planners, developers, industry and farming, leading to the creation of a useful and accessible natural space for urban dwellers. No harm is envisaged by these works. All in river work must be overseen by Rivers Agency. These benefits can be evidenced by: water quality and invertebrate sampling by government agencies, and volunteer monitoring groups regular surveys of fish and wildlife populations surveys of river users participation and feedback from local communities partnership and co operating with local government agencies successful regeneration and restoration schemes Incidental private benefits may occur for two trustees; one, a landowner on the river who may get some improvements at the cost of giving up some privacy to public access; and the second who owns a canoeing and outdoor pursuits business, and may get some work in community based projects. Incidental benefits to the public may be from increased tourism, with added economic gains.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Powers and activities What we do. We initially held open meetings with all interested parties and organisations, gaining support from all. We have worked in partnership with NIEA, Belfast Hills, the Woodland Trust, Ulster Wildlife Trust,Ulster Angling Federation, several angling groups and clubs, community groups and local politicians, and Lagan
Valley Regional Park. We have trained and equipped two groups of volunteers in invertebrate sampling techniques and recording, the results of which are shared with NIEA and on a national database. This scheme gives monthly results which helps to monitor the health of the river. It also gives a focus of interest and education to the broader community. Through this program we have identified several pollution sources, and helped to stop them. We have conducted surveys and sampling in inaccessible areas of the river by canoe, highlighting pollution and invasive species. We have attended the Water Framework meetings on a regular basis, to discuss and work with stakeholders. We have undertaken several river and bank cleanup days with various partner groups. We have given advice and help to several angling groups on starting up clubs, with the intention of them taking care of their part of the river. We have taken over custodianship of a community woodland, with river bank access, with a view to a river improvement project in partnership with the community and council. We have negotiated a lease for water rights on a section of the Lagan with a view to a large scale improvement project, and also to give us some river rights in law. This helps us to fight pollution. We have had discussions with the Farmers Union and landowners on how to reduce agricultural pollution. Two trustees are currently applying for AccessNI clearance to put programs into community summer schemes to include canoeing, fishing instruction, and the environment.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Who the charity helps
- Adult training
- General public
- Interface communities
- Men
- Older people
- Unemployed/low income
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
- Women
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Animal welfare
- Community development
- Community enterprise
- Disability
- Education/training
- Environment/sustainable development/conservation
- Heritage/historical
- Research/evaluation
- Rural development
- Sport/recreation
- Volunteer development
