Our dedicated team
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Eden Rivers Trust Director: Simon Johnson
Simon joined the Trust in June 2009 from the Wild Trout Trust (WTT) where he was the Director for the last six years. At WTT he was responsible for the impressive growth of that organisation, delivering effective conservation and education projects related to wild trout throughout mainland Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as displaying impressive fund-raising skills. You can read Simon's Eden Rivers Trust blog at http://www.wildeden.blogspot.com/. Contact Simon. |
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Scientific Officer: Lucy Butler
Lucy completed a three year PhD project funded by Rural Regeneration Cumbria and managed jointly by the Trust and Professor Stuart Lane of Durham University. She became our principle scientific advisor and is now leading on our European-funded "ALFA" project. She is also working on a project to protect populations of the native white-clawed crayfish in the Eden catchment. Contact Lucy. |
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Education Officer: Becky Helm
Becky began working for the Trust in September 2005 and delivers our Schools Education Programme for primary and secondary schools, as well as higher education groups. Becky also organises river-orientated talks and events for groups of all ages, from Scouts and Brownies to Women's Institutes. She leads all of our community involvement events such as river clean-ups and organises our attendance at local show and events. Contact Becky.
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Fisheries Officer: Rebbecca Chaffer
Rebbecca joined the Trust in July 2008 and one of her main roles is running the electro-fishing programme which allows the Trust to monitor the salmonid population in the Eden catchment. This data is then used to target and monitor our habitat restoration projects. She is also involved in other fisheries projects including installation of fish passes to open up areas of previously inaccessible spawning grounds. Contact Rebbecca. |
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Conservation Officer: Joanne Backshall
Joanne joined the Trust in April 2007 to oversee the £1 million Heritage Lottery funded Discover Eden project, a 3 year education and access programme. She is now working on a project to conserve populations of the native white-clawed crayfish in the Hoff and Helm Becks. Joanne joined us from English Nature where she worked on a wide variety of projects, including writing the Upland Management Handbook and arranging Wildlife Enhancement Schemes. Contact Joanne. |
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Habitats Officer: Tom Dawson
Tom started at the Trust in July 2010, coming to us from the Newton Rigg campus of the University of Cumbria where he lectured on agriculture and helped to run the University farm at Sew Borwens. He now organises river habitat restoration work such as fencing, coppicing and tree planting, which is carried out by local contractors. He also works closely with the agricultural community delivering advice on nutrient planning, soil management and capital improvements on farms to benefit rivers. Contact Tom.
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Conservation Officer: Alison Reed
Alison joined the Trust in December 2009 to oversee the River Petteril Project which aims to protect and enhance the wildlife of the River Petteril. Alison has also led the Eden Invasive Species Group and worked on a minor barriers project in the Eden catchment. Alison joined us from the Cumbria Water Vole Project where she worked on a wide variety of initiatives to boost the population of this endangered local mammal. Contact Alison. |
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Demonstration Test Catchment Project Officer: Will Cleasby
Will started at the Trust in April 2004 and worked for many years as the our Habitats Officer. He is now working on the Demonstration Test Catchment project, a DEFRA funded initiative which aims to reduce river pollution derived from farms. Will works closely with the agricultural community and is FACTS (Fertiliser Advisors Certification and Training Scheme) qualified. Contact Will. |
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River Eden River Restoration Strategy Programme Manager: Gareth Pedley
Gareth started at the Trust in September 2011 in a post jointly funded by the Wild Trout Trust. This means that Gareth spends half of his time working as the River Eden Restoration Strategy Programme Manager. The Restoration Strategy is an initiative that aims to restore natural river processes within the River Eden and Tributaries Site of Special Scientific Interest. The other half of his time is spent as a Conservation Officer for the Wild Trout Trust where he provides help and advice to people wanting to improve wild trout stocks. Before joining the Trust Gareth spend 5 years in the north east as a Fisheries Technical Officer for the Environment Agency. Contact Gareth.
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Invasives Officer: Paul Greaves
Paul joins us in February 2012 as the Invasive Species Officer. He has previously spent two summers with the Trust working on the elctro-fishing programme. Contact Paul.
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Administrative Assistant: Kim Byers
Kim joined the Trust in February 2007 and helps with all aspeacts of the Trust's office administration and finance. Contact Kim.
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