Floating islands built in Middlesbrough dock as wildlife habitats
The islands have been built from modular units that can be configured into different shapes.They have a total surface area of 600sq ft (180sq m) and it is hoped they will provide shelter for juvenile and migrating fish.The rivers trust is also planning to install artificial rock pools along the walls of the dock to create even more places for wildlife to thrive.
The project was designed in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA), Middlesbrough Development Corporation, Middlesbrough Council and BP.
EA project manager Liz Walters said creating artificial habitats was an "innovative solution which provides an opportunity for nature to thrive"."This work is a great example of local partners joining forces to bring shelter and food for fish and wildlife and support improvements to water quality and biodiversity," she said.
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The Guardian
4 days ago
- The Guardian
‘Alarmingly high' levels of forever chemicals found at airports in England, investigation reveals
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Airports are working closely with the Environment Agency and local communities to ensure that they do not make their way into watercourses and food chains.' A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 'We are reshaping the UK Reach [chemicals regulation] work programme to deliver stronger protections and are currently considering the best approach to chemicals regulation in the UK, including the development of a restriction dossier on Pfas in firefighting foams'.
ITV News
08-08-2025
- ITV News
Investigative work into cause of crayfish symptoms after many found dead in Northumberland last year
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BBC News
03-08-2025
- BBC News
Endangered crayfish returning to Nottinghamshire waterways
A rare species of endangered crayfish is slowly returning to its natural habitats, environmental experts have white-clawed crayfish is the UK's only native species, but it has been under threat for a number of years, particularly following the arrival of the North American signal crayfish in the North American crayfish competes with other native species for food and habitats, and also carries a deadly fungal disease called the crayfish plague, which has been rapidly killing the white-clawed the white-clawed crayfish is now returning to areas of Nottinghamshire following work from environmental groups. The Environment Agency said it has been working with Natural England to secure the white-clawed crayfish's future across the Nottinghamshire, a partnership to protect the species has been formed among various has included the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, White Post Farm, and other environmental groups from further and volunteers are creating new safe havens, known as "ark sites", for the crayfish to relocate to, and moving numbers of them that are under threat to these protected McDaid, from the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said losing the native species would be "heart-breaking".He added: "Our waterways wouldn't be the same if they went extinct as they keep the ecosystems in our rivers healthy. If a native species like that goes, the environment around it is impacted pretty badly."We really want to prevent that, and volunteers play a vital role in helping to stop that from happening." Danielle Grieves, an officer at Natural England, said the work she has observed from volunteers in Bulwell gives her hope for the future of the added: "We are seeing fewer numbers of the North American invasive species in ponds at Bulwell Hall. "It's been so rewarding to see vulnerable, native crayfish being moved to their new homes in Nottinghamshire."By protecting the white-clawed crayfish, we're helping to preserve the biodiversity and ecological health of Nottinghamshire's waterways for future generations."
