River restoration tops the agenda at Llandudno conference

A range of projects with ambitions to bring Wales’s rivers back to life will be showcased to an audience of experts from across the UK later this month when they gather at the River Restoration Centre (RRC) Annual Network Conference at Venue Cymru in Llandudno (24-26 April).

Hosted for the first time in Wales, the event is partnering with Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) LIFE Dee River project and will highlight the project’s many river restoration accomplishments along the largest river in north Wales, the River Dee Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The conference programme will feature two keynote speakers and 45 other presentations on topics such as climate change resilience, gravel management, restoration for fish, landowner engagement and citizen science.

The RRC is at the forefront of river restoration, habitat enhancement and catchment management and provides expert advice on rivers in Wales and the rest of the UK.

There are nine SAC rivers in Wales designated under the 2017 Habitats Regulations. They are the Cleddau, Eden, Gwyrfai, Teifi, Tywi, Glaslyn, Dee, Usk and Wye.

These rivers support some of Wales’ most special and rare wildlife like Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, white-clawed crayfish and floating water-plantain. 

There are many river restoration project taking place across Wales, from the LIFE Dee River in the north to the Four Rivers for LIFE in the south, with more river restoration projects on the way.

Martin Janes, River Restoration Centre Managing Director said: “We are delighted to hold the conference in Wales for the first time in 25 years of running the event. There are so many exciting and innovative river restoration projects happening in Wales at the moment that it seemed the perfect choice. Our audience agrees, with over 400 people due to attend.”

Joel Rees-Jones Manager of the LIFE Dee River project said: “The conference is a wonderful opportunity to show what we have achieved as a project and to share ideas and gain insights into other projects that are leading the way when it comes to river restoration.”

This year the UK River Prize Finalists will also be announced. The prize celebrates the achievements of those projects that have improved the natural functioning and ecological integrity of rivers and catchments.

To find out more please visit RRC Annual Conference 2024 | The RRC