British Rowing has launched a new environmental sustainability strategy which aims to safeguard the sport of rowing and preserve the environment.
To help achieve this, the governing body has partnered with river campaigners River Action, The Rivers Trust and Aquascope to clean up the nation’s rivers.
The latest State of Our Rivers report from The Rivers Trust revealed that currently, not a single river in England or Northern Ireland is considered ‘in good overall health’. Only 15% of rivers in the UK meet the criteria for ‘good ecological status’, over 66% of UK freshwater species are in decline and 10% now face extinction.
The new strategy and partnerships aim to tackle these key issues through education, empowering the community from grassroots rowing clubs to the GB Rowing Team to conduct extensive water quality testing. To aid rowing clubs in cleaning and protecting their local stretch of water, British Rowing will also be announcing a funding programme which will enable clubs to test their water, clean up litter and tackle the increasing problem of invasive species.
Imogen Grant, Rivers Trust ambassador and gold medallist at the Paris Olympics (pictured above), explained: “The specific things that affect us as rowers reflect the wider problems that are affecting rivers nationwide. For me, as a sportsperson, I am really excited at the potential of bringing about massive change – working towards a long-term goal in small, achievable steps.”
Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust added: “Our recent report highlights the desperate state of our rivers and the threat that places on a thriving future. We are delighted to join forces with British Rowing to add the voice of the elite rowers and the community of rowing clubs across the country to our Rivers Trust movement. Working together, Rivers Trusts in every catchment across the country can use the support of local rowing clubs to help improve their local environment, to tackle sources of litter, pollution, invasive species and to restore healthy and vibrant rivers for everyone to enjoy.”
Read the British Rowing Environmental Sustainability Strategy here.
