Award for Rivers Trusts Pioneers...

When fisheries scientists and environmentalists from the continents of America, Europe, Asia and Africa met at the 15th International Salmonid Conference in Newcastle last week, two pioneering environmentalists received prestigious awards for their work. Professor John Stoner OBE from West Wales and Mr John Carroll from Ireland – jointly the inspiration behind the successful Celtic Rivers Trust Partnership – were applauded for their voluntary work

At the Association of Rivers Trusts annual dinner and award ceremony, Professor Stoner received the award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer’. The award, from WWF and HSBC, was presented by Donna Orr in recognition of John Stoner’s immense contribution to the river, lakes and wetlands of Pembrokeshire.

In 2004, John Stoner and colleagues from Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust teamed up with Mr John Carroll from Ireland’s Slaney Valley to establish the Celtic Rivers Trust Partnership, and an EU-supported project of river improvements and community involvement resulted. A feature of this initiative was the setting up of the Slaney River Trust, the first of its kind in Ireland.

In a remarkable ‘double,’ Ireland’s John Carroll received a ‘Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Rivers Trust Movement’. The Award, made by the Association of Rivers Trusts, recognised Mr Carroll’s crucially influential role in introducing the Rivers Trust Movement to Ireland and his work via the Celtic Rivers Trust Partnership.

Notes

Working via the Centre for Environment and Health Research Expertise at the University of Wales Aberystwyth, in partnership with the Countryside Council for Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College, Environment Agency Wales, Pembrokeshire Anglers Association and many others, Professor Stoner led the setting up of Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust. He is currently working to help other communities across Wales who want to adopt the Rivers Trust concept.

The Celtic Rivers Trust Partnership is supported via EU funding under the Interreg 3A programme, set up to fund cross- border projects between organizations in West Wales and Southeast Ireland.

The Association of Rivers Trusts (ART) is an umbrella organisation representing some thirty rivers trusts and similar organizations in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. ART works to support its members, emerging community groups and encourage partnerships with Government bodies and others to promote practical and sustainable solutions to environmental issues

WWF (formerly known as the World-Wide Fund for Nature) and HSBC Bank have long been stalwart supporters of the Rivers Trust movement.