Our new talk series is a great way to start the new year! The Severn Series is a collection of online webinars exploring the life beneath the surface of the UK’s longest river.
Please note that all talks will be recorded and uploaded onto the Unlocking the Severn Youtube Channel.
Unlocking the Severn for People and Wildlife
Thursday 21st January 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
In this virtual talk we will be sharing how Unlocking the Severn, a once-in-a-lifetime conservation and river engagement project, is using modern engineering to reopen the UK’s longest river for shad and other endangered species, how we are connecting communities with their river and how you can be involved.
To find the recording for this talk click here
Discover the Fish of the Severn
Friday 5th February 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join us for an introduction to the Fish of the River Severn. This talk will be suitable for people with little or no knowledge about the fish in our river, from the upper reaches of the river in Wales, all the way down to the estuary that flows into the Bristol Channel 200 miles downstream. Learn about the range of fascinating species and their role in the river ecosystem, with amazing adaptations, including one of the world’s oldest vertebrates! We will be discussing the impact of non-native invasive fish and also cover migratory and endangered species.
To find the recording for this talk click here
**Due to technical issues the recording from the Severn Series was unsuccessful, this video is of the same talk provided to volunteers and as such does not have the Q&A session at the end**
What is a Fish Pass and what are the challenges of building them?
Thursday 18th February 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
In this virtual talk we will be explaining what a fish pass is for and sharing some of the challenges that our project has faced in building these complex structures in an unpredictable environment alongside the river. Project Engineer Richard Leigh, will share his expertise and experiences, and you’ll gain a unique insight into the design, build and function of these impressive structures. This session is suitable for a general audience – and assumes no technical knowledge of fish passes.
To find the recording for this talk click here
For follow-up Q&A click here
What can Riverfly tell us about the Health of Rivers?
Thursday 8th April 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join us to learn about these fascinating freshwater invertebrates and discover the vital role they play in river ecosystems. Unlocking the Severn Vol Officer Rachel will be explaining what riverfly are, why they are important and how they can be used as indicators of water quality.
To find the recording for this talk click here
Hidden Journeys within our Rivers
Thursday 18th March 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join this webinar for an introduction into the world beneath the surface of the River Severn, where migratory fish undertake incredible hidden journeys. In this virtual talk we will be joined by Dr. Catherine Gutmann Roberts, Postdoctoral Researcher In Migration Ecology and Pete Davies PHD student, they will be sharing their findings and helping us understand the fascinating biology behind migration and the challenges that migratory fish face on their journeys. This session is suitable for people with little to no knowledge of this subject area.
To find the recording for this talk click here
Follow up Q&A coming soon.
Why do we need Healthy Rivers?
Thursday 1st April 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
In this exciting virtual panel, we will be joined by Unlocking the Severn project partners to discuss river health. Our panellists will provide perspectives on a range of topics, including why we need healthy rivers and the different ways in which river health is impacted by human action. They will also share information about some of the vital conservation work being undertaken on and around the River Severn.
To find the recording for this talk click here
How is Citizen Science Unlocking the River Severn?
Thursday 15th April 2021 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join us for an introduction to citizen science and how we are using it to learn about rare and endangered fish in the River Severn. Unlocking the Severn Volunteer Officer Rachel will provide an insight into the use of citizen science as a conservation tool, sharing success stories from the River Severn and around the UK. We will also share details on how you can become a citizen scientist and contribute to our research!
To find the recording for this talk click here
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