Part of the RiverLife: Almond & Avon project focuses on training volunteers. Over spring and summer several training courses were organised for volunteers from throughout the two river catchments. The training kicked off with three riverfly courses, training volunteers on survey methods to enable them to carry out regular surveying of invertebrates on both rivers. This will allow volunteers to monitor a stretch of water and quickly identify and report any issues they find.
Later in the year we organised training in the use of knapsack sprayers and pesticides, volunteers completed both practical and theory assessments successfully and are now certified to help us control invasive species. Since completing this training the volunteers have been out spraying Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed on both the Almond and the Avon. Another certified course attended by volunteers, was the Introduction to Electrofishing course. This training provided volunteers with the skills and knowledge to be able to carry out electrofishing surveys following the correct safe working practices. Since achieving the qualification, volunteers have been out electrofishing with the Trust biologists gathering data on the fish species found within the catchment. As part of the electrofishing qualification, volunteers also had the opportunity to complete a 2-day Outdoor First Aid course, all volunteers passed successfully and now have a range of new skills and knowledge.
