Himalayan balsam has become a persistent problem in North Wales for decades, particularly along rivers, because it thrives in damp soils and spreads quickly through watercourses. Each plant can produce between 500 and 700 seeds, which are explosively released and can be carried downstream, helping the species colonise new areas with ease.

This month we’ve been back out at Llyn Penrhyn on Ynys Mon to carry out some remedial works on our Floating Wetland project with Biomatrix. Although the original planting had established well in places, some of the vegetation has struggled due to exposure to the wind across the lake. To give the plants the best chance of success, we have added new sections of pre-planted matting and carefully relocated the wetland to a more sheltered spot on the water.

We’ve been busy running creative community workshops as part of Prosiect Torgoch, helping people discover more about the rare Arctic charr (Torgoch) that call North Wales home.

Unless we act quickly one of Eryri’s most iconic waterfalls, and wildlife sites, will be damaged forever.

The Cegin Wildlife Corridor is a visionary plan to reconnect fragmented habitats along the Afon Cegin, creating a continuous ecological network from the uplands to the coast.

Wildlife corridors help nature move, grow, and recover. By linking up woodlands, rivers, hedgerows, gardens and fields, we create safe routes for wildlife to travel, feed, nest, and adapt. These green connections are vital for boosting local biodiversity and building a healthier, more resilient landscape.

Riverbanks are more than just edges to a stream; they are living, breathing habitats that support a huge range of wildlife. From nesting birds and flowering plants to water voles and invertebrates, riverbanks are home to some of our most vulnerable species.

But these fragile edges are under threat. Erosion, trampling, and footfall off-path can quickly damage riverbanks, leading to collapsed banks, degraded water quality, and lost habitat.

In July, as part of the Torgoch Project, NWRT staff completed a Peatland Survey within the Cwellyn catchment in order to ground-truth modelling data for Peatland in the area. The presence and depth of peatland was measured in the area, with the idea of developing peatland restoration in the area if it was necessary.

Many of our rivers are fragmented by barriers like weirs, originally built for mills, land drainage, or water supply. While these structures may seem harmless, they can block the upstream journeys of migratory fish like salmon, sea trout, and eels—species that rely on moving between the river and the sea to complete their life cycles.

This week, the North Wales Rivers Trust visited a key site in the Dyfi catchment alongside the Coal Authority's Mining Remediation Team, marking the beginning of an exciting new partnership to reduce historic mining pollution at source.

Last night we held our second co-creation session of the year at Rhiwlas Community Centre. It was fantastic to have members of the local community come along and share their ideas and hopes for their patch of the Afon Cegin.

This Wednesday we held a practical Volunteer session at Plas Menai; using stand up paddleboards to remove rubbish in the Menai Strait as part of our #LoveTheMenai campaign with the Menai Strait Partnership Forum.

The Cunliffe Commission’s final report into the UK’s water sector was published yesterday.

Will its recommendations help rivers in Wales?

Whether you're fishing, kayaking, swimming, or walking by the river, your actions can make a real difference to the health of our waterways.

We’re thrilled to launch our brand-new Wild Guides campaign – a fun and accessible way to help everyone explore the incredible freshwater and marine habitats of North Wales. Whether you’re dipping a toe in a river, snorkeling off the coast, or simply wandering along a local footpath, our Wild Guides are here to help you connect with nature like never before.

Last week, we held a community co-creation session at Maesgeirchen Community Centre. It was a great chance to hear from local residents about the issues that matter most to them and to start shaping ideas together for how we can improve opportunities for people, wildlife, and water quality in the area.

Last Thursday, we joined forces with North Wales Wildlife Trust for a practical volunteer day tackling Himalayan balsam along the Afon Clwyd.

Last week, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) published the first assessments of the condition of Wales’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), originally scheduled for release two years ago. The findings reveal widespread failures across coastal Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), mirroring similar issues seen in Welsh rivers.

We’ve been so pleased with the response to the Prosiect Torgoch exhibition at Galeri Caernarfon. The piece has captured the attention of local people and visitors alike, drawing them into the story of the Eryri Torgoch.

We’re inviting local residents, community groups, and organisations to take part in two upcoming meetings about the Afon Cegin. These sessions are open to anyone interested in improving the river and the surrounding area.