The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and the Lakes Aquarium are excited to announce the opening of a new ‘Restoring Freshwater Mussel Rivers’ exhibit at the Lakes Aquarium. Freshwater pearl mussels have been native to our rivers since the last Ice Age. This exhibit showcases the amazing work going on across Cumbria and England to safeguard our remaining populations.
The new interactive exhibit will be opening to the public on 27 February 2016, with opportunities to meet the team and take part in activities. Find out more about this intriguing species and its fascinating life cycle, the threats currently facing the freshwater pearl mussel and the flagship, Biffa Award funded project “Restoring Freshwater Mussel Rivers in England” lead by the FBA in collaboration with partners Devon Wildlife Trust, North York Moors National Park Authority and South and West Cumbria Rivers Trusts.
Bill Brierley, Chief Executive of the Freshwater Biological Association says “This project is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to this critically endangered species. The exhibit the FBA have developed at the Lakes Aquarium is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about a little-known species and how it helps keep our rivers clean”.
FBA staff, accompanied by representatives from local partners will be at the Lakes Aquarium on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February to answer any questions the public have about freshwater pearl mussels and the project and will outline the captive rearing work that is being undertaken at the FBA.
Chris Sturdy, Displays and Maintenance Manager at the Lakes Aquarium says “The Lakes Aquarium is very excited to be entering a partnership with the FBA to raise awareness of the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel. The new exhibit will showcase information about the mussel in a fun and engaging way for all who visit the aquarium, whilst the aquarium team will support the FBA with their vital conservation work through knowledge exchange and practical help”.
Contact:Louise Lavictoire
llavictoire@fba.org.uk
Freshwater Biological Association
The Ferry Landing, Far Sawrey, Ambleside,
Cumbria, LA22 0LP. Phone: 015394 87712 or 015394 42468
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Freshwater Biological Association
The FBA is an independent membership association and a registered charity. Founded in 1929 and a charity since 1966, we are dedicated to increasing the understanding and sustainable management of freshwaters.
Our aim is to encourage as many people as possible to be interested in fresh waters and understand the importance of sound evidence and information – whether scientific, technical or other knowledge – in protecting and managing our precious waters.
We do this by disseminating information, providing high quality training, facilitating innovative and essential research and providing sound independent advice and opinion from our specialised facilities on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria and on the banks of the River Frome in Dorset.
www.fba.org.uk
Biffa Award
Since 1997, Biffa Award has awarded grants totalling more than £156 million to thousands of worthwhile community and environmental projects across the UK. The programme administers money donated by Biffa Group Ltd through the Landfill Communities Fund.
www.biffa-award.org
Landfill Communities Fund
The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is an innovative tax credit scheme enabling operators (LOs) to contribute money to organisations enrolled with ENTRUST as Environmental Bodies (EBs). EBs use this funding for a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of landfill sites. LOs are able to claim a credit (currently 5.1%) against their landfill tax liability for 90% of the contributions they make.
Since its inception in 1996, over £1.4billion has been spent on more than 51,000 projects across the UK. For further information please visit www.entrust.org.uk or see HMRC’s general guide to landfill tax.
