River Tees catchment project awarded £3m funding package

The Tees Rivers Trust has been awarded a £3 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a five-year Tees Invasive Species Project to protect and restore the River Tees catchment.

The project will target invasive non-native plant species and support biodiversity while improving public access to blue and green spaces throughout the catchment.

Chloe Lawrence, project manager at Tees Rivers Trust, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon that we’ve received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now really get on with delivering a catchment-wide programme that tackles invasive non-native species, restores habitats, and helps people reconnect with the River Tees.

“I’m genuinely excited about what this means over the next five years and beyond, not just for the river, but for the people we’ll be working with along the way.

“I can’t wait to see the difference it makes on the ground and to meet so many people who care about protecting their local environment.”

The Tees Invasive Species Project builds on more than a decade of partnership working and will scale up efforts to tackle species such as giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and floating pennywort.

These plants threaten native biodiversity, damage riverbanks, restrict access and, in some cases, pose risks to public health.

The project will use manual, mechanical, chemical and biological control methods, supported by drone surveys to improve monitoring and targeting of invasive growth.

Restoring native habitats will help reopen river corridors for public enjoyment, including walking, fishing and other recreational activities.

Community involvement is central to the scheme, with schools, volunteers, landowners and community groups invited to take part in education, monitoring and hands-on conservation work.

Volunteers will be involved in surveying, habitat management, event delivery and long-term monitoring.

The project will also work to ensure greater inclusion by engaging underrepresented groups and improving access to green and blue spaces.

Regional collaboration will be strengthened through partnerships with other rivers trusts, ERIC North East, Newcastle University, local authorities and water companies.

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Protecting the environment is a key priority for the Heritage Fund, so we’re delighted to support Tee Rivers Trust with this grant for the Tees Invasive Species project focusing on the River Tees and its surrounding habitats.”

The project will begin later this year and run for five years.