e-newsletter issue 05 - spring 2005  

Don't forget to visit our website www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk to find out the latest details on ART seminars, events and projects.

Welcome to this Union des Terres de Rivieres “Special European Issue” of the ART newsletter

This issues featured articles:

» Union des Terres de Rivieres
» ART Spring Seminar
» Freshwater Life

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Black Bass thrive in Spain and are prized by anglers
Union des Terres de Rivieres


Union des Terres de Rivieres (U.TdR) is a network of 24 partners across 10 EU countries of which ART is the lead partner for England & Wales, representing the Rivers Trust movement. The U.TdR Secretariat is based in South West France in Lormont on the Gironde across the water from Bordeaux. The setting up of the network during 2005/6 is part funded by the EU under the Interreg IIIC programme and also provides funds toward particular themes. ART leads on the Communications Theme and is using the Ecosystem Approach and Water Framework Directive as two key points of reference. The Slovakian partners SOSNA are building the U.TdR website and Spanish and Hungarian partners are each running international seminars with the title “Universities of Water” in their respective countries. The first of these will take place in October 2005 in Tortosa, Spain.

Establishing European networks of this kind are increasingly important effectively to contribute to EU policy, develop joint working programmes and to secure future funding for the sharing of technical information and R&D. It has already proven very interesting to compare how member states have set about the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the recent Common Agricultural Policy (CAP, or PAC on the continent) reforms.

The Union des Terres de Rivieres programme is supporting ART’s Spring Seminar “The Evolution of Fisheries Management” in May and contributing to the establishment of the network here in the UK, including building links with our sister organisation in Scotland, Rivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland (RAFTS) and the development of the ART website, which will include pages in French and Spanish in the future.

U.TdR delegates from throughout the EU attended the meeting in Lormont, France.
The meeting looked out onto the mighty Garonne. Bordeaux lies across the river

Theme leaders each gave presentations, chaired by Richard Fenollo,
U.TdR Secretariat leader

For more information see the ART website
http://www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk/projects/eu_prog.htm
or contact Arlin Rickard on arlin@associationofriverstrusts.org.uk

“Eco-findings”

• For the past 3 years, hundreds of scientists have been trying to work out how people interact with the world’s ecosystems, and how those interactions affect both our health and that of the planet.

The preliminary results of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) are now in, and they don’t make pretty reading. People are adding seven times as much nitrogen to the environment as a century ago, mainly via fertilisers. By 2030, two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in water-scarce regions, and our arable land will need to double its output to supply us with enough food.

“Source- New Scientist”
ART Spring Seminar 9th,10th& 11th May - BOOK NOW! 
Please contact Alan Hawken on alan@associationofriverstrusts.org.uk for details and booking form

“Start up Workshop”
Do take advantage of the special workshop from 4 p.m. on Monday 9th May preceding the AGM. This will be of particular interest to new and forming Rivers Trusts, run with the assistance of ART’s auditors, Mazars and will cover likely changes to the Charities Act: SORP 2005: Accounting for public funds: Fundraising and other items of interest. There will be ample time available for questions and opportunity to discuss your particular points with Mazars experts.

ART AGM – a first!
Following the workshop ART has its first public AGM on Monday evening. You do not need to be a member to attend (although you will to vote). We hope that as many as possible will join us for the AGM and after for the buffet. Arlin Rickard, ART’s Director will also be giving a short presentation on the Trust's work during the year.
Wye Field Visit

“The Evolution of Fisheries Management”
This exciting Spring Seminar will be examining the role of new technology in surveying and gathering data to guide and inform practical fisheries management, plus the impact of using genetic tools to guide management of both salmon & trout stocks. Dr Dafydd Evans, EA Head of Fisheries will be presenting the EA’s Salmon Stock Conservation Review and there are also presentations from CEFAS and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland (RAFTS). The presentations will focus on the application of practical tools for Rivers Trusts and improvement organisations; with the second day given over to a field visit of the lower Tweed.
Check out: www.freshwaterlife.info

At a recent meeting between Arlin Rickard, Director of ART and Roger Sweeting, Chief Executive of the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), Roger introduced Freshwater Life, based at the FBA on Windermere.

Freshwater Life provides easy access to information on the organisms and freshwater habitats of the world; educating, informing and promoting the importance of freshwater. Freshwater Life relies on the collaboration of experts and enthusiasts from the global freshwater community. The original Information Management and exchange System (IMS) which links different parts of the website was developed by the UN to promote access and exchange of information. The advanced system employs “topic editors” to ensure all the information is of the highest possible quality.

Bullhead

The “Ecological Database” holds detailed, fully referenced information on plant and animal species and habitats, while the “ID Guides and Keys” provides a comprehensive bibliography of identification guides to freshwater plants and animals.

The Freshwater Life Network is an open membership “club” for those interested in the world’s freshwaters. Benefits include access to a network of peers, the opportunity to contribute to the development of the site and features designed to facilitate collaboration and the collection and analysis of data. Join now at http://network.freshwaterlife.info/registration
 
 
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© 2005 Association of Rivers Trusts