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The Save the Teifi meeting on 4-May-23 decided to use the Forum to co-ordinate action on this topic through the Forum
See the fourth meeting report for the main discussion: https://www.teifi.one/reports/04b-fourth-meeting-9-mar-2023
Additional notes from fifth meeting:
- Adopt a tributary is a Citizen science initiative
- see https://forum.teifi.one/forums/topic/adopt-a-tributary-plysgog/
- Yusef is interested Adopting Afon Mwldan – Any more interested?
- Can Crowd fund be used to get testing kits – e.g. for ecoli bacteria strips like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Watersafe-Bacteria-10-Pack-Pseudomonas-recreational/dp/B084HKYLD1/ref=sr_1_11?crid=LBI4WXTCVTPQ&keywords=bacteria+test+kit&qid=1684969474&s=instant-video&sprefix=bacteria+tes%2Cinstant-video%2C377&sr=1-11
This is from a contact in Welsh Waters as a response to a specific enquiry about using their community funding for citizen science…
Hi.
My comment about unsuccessful applications was in reference to a different biodiversity programme I suggested for CLEAN.In terms of Community/Cit Sci Fund – I’m not aware of any application for sampling equipment to either fund be successful. That’s not saying it wouldn’t be, but I’m just not aware of any. It’s historically not been something we support (for multiple reasons) and equally I believe NRW have been of a similar stance.
As you may have read, the Citizen Science programme requires support from an eNGO, Uni, consultancy etc, so it may be an idea to discuss the use/benefit/limitations of sampling equipment with them.
I hope that helps.
Take a look at WyeViz (Wye Alliance Citizen Science dashboard)
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/mcarpenter/viz/WyeVizWyeAllianceCitizenSciencedashboard/START
It’s been suggested we contact friends of upper wye about there citizen science programme and relationship with NRW. This is their reply…
“Oh my goodness, solidarity! Welcome to the struggle. We have had the most unbelievably frustrating/appalling/disheartening experience with NRW. We started setting up our citizen science project on the River Wye in 2020, and co-designed it through a rigorous process with Cardiff University (with NRW and EA input). We have been operational with over 100 citizen scientists since 2021. NRW are still ‘considering’ how/whether to use our data. Whereas on the English side, the EA reference our data in their reports and are far more proactive (not perfect, and could do better, but much better than NRW). ”
See… https://afonyddcymru.org/get-involved/
The “Citizen Science” movement has expanded significantly in the past few years in Wales. People concerned with the state of their local streams have been eager to get involved in river restoration and protection, anxious to do what they can to help resolve issues of water quality and biodiversity loss.
As a result, citizen science groups have been emerging across Wales. Their volunteer members undertake various activities from water sampling, litter clearance and issue reporting.
The regional Welsh river trusts all have their own citizen science or other volunteer initiatives. If you would like to help and to join them the links to the various trusts are below. Often, no prior experience is needed and they will provide the training, equipment and guidance.
Other ways to get involved….
Spotting and Reporting River Pollution.
Do you regularly walk along your local river? Can you spot pollution? We have a simple guide: https://afonyddcymru.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/What-you-can-do-to-prevent-pollution.pdf for spotting pollution and what to do.The Great River Watch
In September 2023 a new app will be launched across the UK which will allow anyone to report anything they come across when walking next to a river. See here: https://afonyddcymru.org/big-river-watch/ for more information.Volunteers Sought to Support Teifi Citizen Science Projects
The community meetings held last year directed the Save the Teifi steering group to establish Citizen Science projects aimed at monitoring water quality and enhancing the health of the river. The steering group has been working with other stakeholders to secure funds to support the projects and ensure that the results will be utilised by relevant bodies and policy makers. Two collaborative projects have been established that will collect data from the Teifi and its tributaries. The Citizen Science elements of the projects are summarised as (with further details provided below):-
- Outfall Safari – In collaboration with West Wales River Trust – involves visual monitoring and photographic recording of outfalls and environmental issues.
- Water Quality Monitoring – In collaboration with Ceredigion County Council and the Teifi Nutrient Management Board- involves water quality testing of samples at the river side and recording other environmental issues.
We are seeking volunteers to be involved in these projects, ideally in both. If you are interested then please send an email to volunteer@teifi.one. It would be helpful if you could outline where you are based along the river and/or its tributaries, whether you are interested in a particular project or both and if you are willing for us to pass your email details onto West Wales River Trust so they can organise training for the Outfall Safari project.
Outfall Safari Project
In collaboration with West Wales River Trust
The project involves recording visual information supported by photographs about the location and nature of outfall pipes that enter a river or stream. Additional information about the location of invasive plant species, potential sediment inputs and evidence of pollution can also be noted. The information can be recorded via an app on a mobile phone and training will be provided. The project can be completed whilst undertaking a walk by a river or stream and new information (e.g. evidence of a pollution incident) can be added about the same stretch of river.
This Citizen Science activity is part of a larger project that involves developing a People’s Plan for the Teifi and broadening the communities understanding of the issues facing the river through engagement via local Primary Schools
Water and Environmental Quality Monitoring
In collaboration with Ceredigion County Council and the Teifi Nutrient Management Board.
Ceredigion County Council has secured funds to install 4 mobile high quality water monitoring sondes along the Afon Teifi. These aim to monitor a variety of parameters including phosphates in real time at various sites along the river. The council have also purchased kits to support Citizen Science. They would like these kits to be used to take measurements at other sites and in particular on tributaries so that the following can be achieved:-
a) A set of baseline measurements of water quality are taken at a far higher density than currently achieved.
c) Citizen Science can help to identify potential problem sections of the river and its tributaries which can then be monitored by using the mobile high quality sondes.
d) Modifications to land use and point pollution sources can be assessed to determine if positive changes are being achieved.
e) The data will be freely available and Citizen Scientists will be encouraged to help in the analysis
The collaboration is attempting to ensure that a wide coverage of water quality is achieved and that the results can identify possible pollution sources and inform changes that try to improve water quality. The Citizen Scientists will be asked to take some measurements near the sonde sites to ensure their results are comparable with the high quality results. They also may be asked to monitor specific sections of the river and its tributaries so pollution sources can be identified and actions assessed.
Citizen Scientists with appropriate skills will also have the opportunity to analyse the data that is being collected in real time to report issues and identify patterns.
The data being collected by the Council will be the most detailed so far collected along the river and should significantly add to our understanding of selected nutrients in the system. Given the sondes will take numerous measurements every hour for an extended time period it will be far in excess of the measurements taken by NRW.
The text below provides some clarification in terms of what the water quality project is aiming to achieve and who it is working with. It has nothing to do with NRW who at the moment would prefer Citizen Science was not involved. However NRW should be interested in the sonde results and it provides us with an avenue to convince them that Citizen Science has a place in collecting basic data. The Council and Nutrient Management Board is reaching out for support from Citizen Scientists to increase the spread of measurements and to assess the impact future changes may bring.
Citizen Science in Collaboration with Ceredigion County Council and the West Wales Nutrient Management Board
The Save the Teifi Group have been invited by the West Wales Nutrient Management Board Technical Advisory Group to be involved in water quality monitoring of the Afon Teifi. Ceredigion County Council has secured funds to install 4 mobile high quality water monitoring sondes along the Afon Teifi. These aim to monitor a variety of parameters including phosphates in real time at various sites along the river. The council have also purchased kits to support Citizen Science. They would like these kits to be used to take measurements at other sites and in particular on tributaries so that the following can be achieved:-
a) A set of baseline measurements of water quality are taken at a far higher density than currently achieved.
b) Water quality along tributaries and the main river are taken
c) Citizen Science can help to identify potential problem sections of the river and its tributaries which can then be monitored by using the mobile high quality sondes.
d) Modifications to land use and point pollution sources can be assessed to determine if positive changes are being achieved.
e) The data will be freely available and Citizen Scientists will be encouraged to help in the analysis
The collaboration is attempting to ensure that a wide coverage of water quality is achieved and that the results can identify possible pollution sources and inform changes that try to improve water quality. The Citizen Scientists will be asked to take some measurements near the sonde sites to ensure their results are comparable with the high quality results. They also may be asked to monitor specific sections of the river and its tributaries so pollution sources can be identified and actions assessed.
Citizen Scientists with appropriate skills will also have the opportunity to analyse the data that is being collected in real time to report issues and identify patterns.
The data being collected by the Council will be the most detailed so far collected along the river and should significantly add to our understanding of selected nutrients in the system. Given the sondes will take numerous measurements every hour for an extended time period it will be far in excess of the measurements taken by NRW. It is anticipated that the monitoring system will hopefully be enhanced when Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water install their monitoring sondes above and below their assets in 2025.
CITIZEN SCIENCE TRAINING
Here is the poster for the West Wales Rivers Trust (WWRT) visual water quality monitoring training and outfall safari session. Planned for Wednesday 5th June 10-14:00.
Meet at Cenarth Falls Resort at Phat Forks restaurant for the classroom session before heading out for a loop walk round the village and river to identify water quality impacts, outfalls and put survey training into action.
Parking is available free at Cenarth Falls Resort.
Anyone wanting more info can get in touch Nathaniel at WWRT directly: Nathaniel@westwalesriverstrust.org
This project is kindly supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation & Dwr Cymru’s Citizen Science Fund.
If you could share the word amongst your contacts and socials it would be much appreciated
From a FB post by Moira Williams:
Our citizen science project on the Teifi is off the ground!
Thanks to all those who have so far expressed an interest in getting involved. Training is currently under way and the aim is to have the kits stationed at set places along the length of the river for use by individuals and groups for regular testing of set spots.
There is an app for logging data too set up by the wonderful team at West Wales Rivers Trust.
The plan is to work in tandem with Ceredigion council and the live monitoring positions they have in place along the river.
Do you want to do something about the state of the river Teifi and become a citizen scientist, help West Wales Rivers Trust to collect information and become familiar with your local river or tributary? You can !
First download ‘Arcgis Survey123’ app, then scan this QR code with your phone camera. Next, survey the rivers in west Wales any time you visit. You can document what you see concerning the water quality, habitat, or invasive species, and take note of wildlife spotted too. This is a vital step towards improving the state of the rivers, and the information will be sent to West Wales Rivers Trust - Adopt a tributary is a Citizen science initiative
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