RIVER CHAMPION
The LFCC is delighted to report that one of its long term and most active members has been recognised by The River Restoration Centre as one of their 2024 River Champions.
“ The success of projects aiming to improve rivers for wildlife and people is largely influenced by the involvement of volunteers. The River Restoration Centre understands the importance of this contribution and wishes to acknowledge those that may otherwise not get recognition. ‘River Champions’ seeks to recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts of individuals contributing to improving rivers for wildlife and people outside of their day-today roles.”
Thanks to Russ Hatchett for the huge support that you have given the LFCC over a prolonged period
From all of our members.
Russ has been closely involved with projects for the Swallowfield Fishing Club (SFC), that have promoted habitat development and the study of fish populations in the club waters. He has run the websites both for the SFC and the Loddon Fisheries and Conservation Consultative (LFCC), and has recently taken a close interest and actively encouraged the establishment of the Angling Trust Water Quality Monitoring within the Loddon catchment. He is a crucial member of the LFCC team, planning and participating
practically in projects around the catchment including habitat restorations, fish surveys, invasive species control and public engagement events. He has provided valuable support to the Loddon Catchment Partnership and the Loddon Observatory project run by the University of Reading. Some of this work has also assisted the development of NFM initiatives in the catchment. He consistently brings a resourceful and enthusiastic contributionto any event, often utilizing his engineering background.
It is highly unlikely that the creation of two backwaters on the River Loddon and a gravel riffle on the lower River Blackwater would have occurred without Russ's drive and vision. In addition the development of a project to monitor the barbel population in SFC fisheries has been fully co-ordinated by Russ and has developed into a wider effort to assess the success of barbel stocked into the Loddon catchment from the EA's Calverton fish farm. He has also been instrumental in designing and running both the LFCC and SFC websites. His valuable input and support has been vital in continuing the work of the LFCC, and maintains the motivation of many others to continue caring for the nature based management of local rivers.