The Tubney Charitable Trust
The Tubney Charitable Trust makes grants to other charities that work within certain defined areas. In particular Tubney supports work that benefits species listed in the UK Biodiversity Plan (UKBAP) and has generously supported the Foundation in our restoration work.
This work benefits a range of riverine species in addition to our key salmonids.
white clawed crayfish, (Austropotomobius pallipes), otter (Lutra
lutra),
shad (Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax), and freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera
margaritifera) are some of those included in the UKBAP and all respond favourably
to improvements in water quality, habitat restoration and reconnection of
stream access. For example, the fresh water pearl mussel has a life stage
that is dependent on salmon or trout for upstream distribution: otters depend
on good habitat and an abundant supply of food – fish!
Each species is subject to specific pressures. For example, otter are frequent victims of road collisions. White clawed crayfish have serious problems with sheep dip and competition from its American rival, the signal crayfish.
Tubney’s contribution goes towards the following specific areas of activity:
White clawed crayfish project: Habitat restoration (fencing and tree management) of those streams that still have a population of them, namely Builth Road Dulas, Llynfi Dulas, Sgwithen and Edw and eradication of signals in the Bachawy brook. By October 2007, 31,464 signals had been trapped and 6km double bank restored and stock excluded. Trapping is considered a holding operation pending a final solution.
Fish Access: Tubney's funding has enabled us to fully fund our ambitious projects that include building fish passes or removing barriers throughout the Lugg and Arrow, upper Wye and Usk catchments.
Water Quality: Funding is used to continue our acid waters amelioration programme which is proving very successful on the upper Wye and Irfon catchments.
Habitat Restoration: A common feature of our projects is a commitment to restore the habitat of the tributary system. The Tubney funding has enabled this to be carried out on a sufficiently large scale to make a difference on the huge catchments of our two rivers.
These activities all combine to bring about the restoration of these key BAP species as well as salmonids. Perhaps recognising this, or just mindful of the Water Framework Directive, rivers and streams (not all!) are to be included as priority habitats and salmon, brown trout, loach and eels are to be included in the UKBAP.
The Foundation is very fortunate to be in receipt of this support as matching the EU and other inputs is crucial to the success of our mission.
