A group of volunteers partaking in one of Ribble Life Togethers training workshops.

Developing people’s skills through training not only helps to provide us with skilled volunteers but also helps to create a sense of public responsibility and ownership of the river and the environment.

The Ribble Life Together project enabled us to run numerous workshops throughout the year training people to carry out barrier, otter, riverfly, and walkover and habitat surveys.

Alongside this we also delivered specialist training in areas such as diffuse pollution and farm advice and facilitation. This was targeted at countryside and agriculture students from local colleges, farmers and young farmers and environmental professionals.

This training helped to fill the gap in knowledge that exists in the knowledge of professionals regarding the agricultural business and the gap that exists in the knowledge of agriculture professionals regarding the impacts of land management!

Unfortunately due to the coronavirus we have had to postpone this years training opportunities. However, as soon as we are able we are looking forward to delivering training on species such as otters and bats, as well as more formal training courses such as first aid for staff from other organisations and our volunteers.