(Image: Supplied)
A North East charity dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers has secured nearly £250,000 in National Lottery funding to strengthen its work and prepare for future environmental challenges.
Tyne Rivers Trust has been awarded £249,579 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Foundations for the Future programme, which protects and improves the River Tyne and its tributaries.
The 18-month programme will invest in staff, systems and infrastructure to strengthen the trust’s long-term impact and resilience.
Sophia Stovall, chief executive officer at Tyne Rivers Trust, said: "This funding comes at a pivotal moment for Tyne Rivers Trust.
"The challenges facing our rivers are becoming increasingly complex.
"Pollution, habitat loss, declining native species and the effects of climate change all require long-term thinking, strong partnerships and an organisation with the resilience and capacity to respond.
"Recent pollution incidents have also been a stark reminder that our rivers can face sudden pressures alongside the longer-term challenges we are already working to address.
"Thanks to National Lottery players, we now have the opportunity to invest in the foundations that will help us do that.
"Some of this investment will happen behind the scenes, in our people, systems and infrastructure, but the reason for doing it is very much about what happens out on our rivers.
"It will help us make better use of evidence, strengthen relationships with communities, landowners, land managers and other partners, attract new investment and ultimately develop and deliver more ambitious work for rivers and wildlife.
"This is about building the organisation we need for the future, and creating the conditions for greater impact over the years ahead."
Rivers across the Tyne catchment face growing threats from pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, declining wildlife and climate change.
The plastic pellet spill in the River Tyne earlier this summer highlighted the risk of sudden environmental incidents.
The funding will create roles covering philanthropy, partnerships, systems, projects and communications, helping the trust build relationships, attract investment and reach the public more effectively.
The trust will also upgrade data management, governance, health and safety systems and digital infrastructure.
The trust is already procuring a new organisation-wide customer relationship management system and reviewing its HR and structure.
Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Rivers are an important part of our natural heritage, supporting wildlife, shaping landscapes and connecting communities with the places in which they live.
"We are delighted to support Tyne Rivers Trust thanks to National Lottery players, who have told us time and time again that natural heritage is of great importance to them.
"We are very proud to be investing in this project."
The trust is developing a three-year strategy to build resilience, increase its impact and respond to growing pressure on rivers.
The strategy will focus on people, governance, partnerships, financial sustainability, catchment-wide environmental action and greater community involvement.
The trust will share more details about its plans this autumn.
Naomi Kinghorn, head of investment for England, North, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "By investing in Tyne Rivers Trust’s people, systems and long-term resilience, this project will help the organisation strengthen its ability to care for river heritage and involve more people in its development.
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"It is vital that we value, rebuild and protect our natural heritage so it is sustained for the future, and supporting organisations like Tyne Rivers Trust can help to realise that vision."
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects connecting people and communities with the UK’s heritage, funded by National Lottery players.
The funding makes Tyne Rivers Trust’s Foundations for the Future programme possible.