With changes to the landscape over the years and the increase in global temperatures caused latterly by global warming, ecosystems are changing and not all for the better.

Conservationists of the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust have witnessed and recorded this first hand on the River Findhorn, as the number of salmon that come upriver to spawn have declined gradually over the past few decades, believed to be a result of warmer river water cause by global warming.

In a bid to bring the salmon back to their rightful spawning grounds, the London North Eastern Railway Customer and Community Investment Fund have given money to a restoration project on the River Findhorn in the Highlands, in a move that has been much welcomed by the local communities and conservationists.

The main leading project, the ‘Findhorn Watershed Initiative’, will use the money to bring back the ecosystems that have been lost in order to restore the number of salmon in the river.

Their plans involve using monitoring systems, such as temperature loggers, to assess the current state of the river as it flows downstream. The team at Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust will record ecological data as the project moves forward to monitor changes in the river.

The project will also allocate funds to create a more native woodland alongside the river. This will involve planting species of trees native to the local landscape, while simultaneously providing much-needed shade to cool down the water temperature of the river.

Members of all ages from the local communities along the river have been getting involved by becoming training volunteers of the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust, with the view of protecting the river for years to come.

They have learned about the river, the effects the water has on its surroundings and to the animals that live in it.

By also undertaking surveys on the current population of fish and invertebrates in the river, they have built up a plan of what needs to be done in order to increase their numbers.

By teaching volunteers about the rebuilding of the ecosystems, they gain knowledge that brings them closer to nature to ensure it is protected, while at the same time carrying out the work.

They also benefit from the knowledge of the river, its wildlife and heritage among the stunning landscape through which the River Findhorn runs.

A study and of Gaelic place-name’s, songs and stories from the past have allowed the conservationists to build up an idea of what the river was like in the past, from the animals that lived in the water to the flora and fauna that once graced the river banks.

They provide have provided a foundation to build upon to bring the River Findhorn back to its former glory.

“As a long-distance rail operator, we continue to play our part in creating a greener future and we are delighted to be supporting the Findhorn, Nairn, and Lossie Rivers Trust in their work to protect the Findhorn for generations to come. The project not only inspires people in the local community to come together but also to connect with nature and the area’s heritage, all in addition to the benefits for the environment and wildlife.”

Rachael Wilson, Community Investment Manager at LNER,