Freshwater Policy and Campaign Work

Many of our freshwater invertebrates are declining in the face of threats such as pollution and abstraction. This project will contribute to a strategy for their conservation as well as carrying out extensive research into the ecology of ditch systems.

Aims of Buglife's Freshwater Work

Buglife aims to raise awareness of freshwater issues as well as instigating research and conservation for freshwater invertebrates and their associated habitats; focusing on species and habitats not covered by other conservation organisations.

White Legged Damselfly
(Platycnemis pennipes)
© Margaret Barton

Freshwater Officer

Funding secured from The Garfield Weston Foundation has enabled Buglife to recruit a Freshwater Officer, Vicky Kindemba. The Freshwater Officer oversees all of Buglife’s freshwater work. Detailed below are the main focuses of Buglifes current work with links to more in depth information about current policy work, freshwater projects and campaigns.

Policy relating to freshwater habitats and invertebrates

The Freshwater Officer is responsible for representing Buglife on the relevant working groups of the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL). WCL role is to keep a watching brief on relevant Government Policy on behalf of environmental and conservation organisations. This allows environmental organisations that do not have the capacity to address all areas of important freshwater of policy and legislation to target through relevant policy through membership of WCL:

European Community: Water Framework Directive
Freshwater Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats
Environment Agri-environment schemes
Review of the pricing system for the water industry (PR09)
Blueprint Campaign

Lophopus crystalinus

Freshwater Campaign Work

Buglife also endeavours to highlight serious current issues relating to freshwater habitats in the media, through project work and by liaison with statutory and other conservation organisations. Freshwater issues currently being investigated by Buglife include:

Cypermethrin based sheep dips
Riverfly decline (in collaboration with the Riverfly Partnership)
The affect of Prozac on freshwater invertebrates
The affect of Permethrin on freshwater invertebrates
Acidification

Current Freshwater Projects include:

Numerous projects are being run and developed to ensure the improved understanding and conservation for freshwater habitats and invertebrate species that are poorly understood and currently under threat.