Earthwatch Europe

Some exciting new water-y research to kick off the year by some of our scientists and partners! 💧 🌊

🌧️ 🛣️ As the rain poured down on our roads over the past days, citizen scientists from the Evenlode Catchment Partnership went out to collect samples of road run-off to test for tyre pollution that washes into our streams and rivers.   This new testing builds on last years' pilot study we conducted in collaboration with Emissions Analytics, to further examine the impact of tyre pollution on freshwater. The test results will help to systematically investigate the presence of VOCs; tracking their movement from roads, to outfalls and down the river Evenlode, creating a chemical heatmap to pinpoint the most problematic outfalls.   Our Director of Science and Policy, Dr Sasha Woods, wrote the below article for Comment Central, highlighting tyre pollution as a serious and growing environmental problem for the UK’s freshwater.   Ultimately, we to see accountability from all types of polluters: from agriculture, sewage overflows and urban run-off. With mounting evidence, we urge the Environment Agency and Highway Agency to take tyre particulate matter more seriously; for authorities to integrate citizen science into their freshwater monitoring frameworks; and for citizen scientists to continue monitoring and advocating for a healthy freshwater future. You can read the report from our pilot study here: https://lnkd.in/eE9iAtfX The next report will be published in March.   #FreshWaterWatch #citizenscience #waterquality #watertesting #waterpollution https://lnkd.in/ehN3qrBU

We were proud to support the launch of the Environmental Research Programme in Oman this week. The programme aims to cultivate a new generation of researchers and environmental experts equipped to tackle both current and future environmental challenges, establishing environmental sustainability as a cornerstone of national development. We are grateful to the Diwan of Royal Court, the Royal Academy of Management and the Environment Authority for partnering with us to ensure the environment and communities are prioritised in decision and policy making. You can read more about the launch of the programme here: https://lnkd.in/djvaMvnJ

🌳 How many Tiny Forest are there in your city? Leicester now has 30! Last week Leicester reached the fantastic milestone of having planted 30 Tiny Forests. The forest are part of a four-year project to grow a network of urban micro forests in schools and community spaces across Leicester. We are proud to be working with Leicester City Council to create these new accessible green spaces that people of all ages can enjoy for decades to come. Tiny Forests are amazing community assets and provide an opportunity for local people and schools to make a real positive impact by supporting nature and biodiversity on their doorstep. A big thanks also to the Pupils from Eyres Monsell Primary School who helped to plant this latest forest. Helping the trees take root and watching them flourish creates a very special connection with the forest and the wildlife that calls it their home. 📻 Listen to this joyful interview with the school children on BBC Sounds here: https://lnkd.in/dEkQCeCU 📰 Or read more about this milestone planting on BBC News here: https://lnkd.in/dbjw2he8 #NatureinCities #TinyForest #naturebasedsolutions #natureconnection

🌳🐕 2025 got off to a pawsome start with our partners Irish Dog Foods! We had a fantastic day last week in Monread Park, Kildare, planting the second Tiny Forest in Ireland with irishdogfoods employees, the Mayor of Naas, the local community, and Naas Biodiversity group. This new urban forest, supported by Kildare County Council, provides a new accessible green space that people of all ages can enjoy for decades to come. Tiny Forests are amazing community assets and provide an opportunity for local people to make a real positive impact by supporting nature and biodiversity on their doorstep. Helping the trees take root and watching them flourish creates a very special connection with the forest and the wildlife that calls it their home.

We're excited that our new CEO, Harry Barton, started this week. In a blog written for Wildlife and Countryside Link, Harry reflects on the conservation and climate challenges we face, and what gives him hope for 2025 and beyond. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/e95R43sW

💧🚗 During these wetter winter months an often overlooked source of water pollution enters our rivers and streams: tyre pollution. Across our road networks, surface water runoff washes into the surrounding landscape every time it rains. Roadway runoff is mostly connected to storm sewers or combined sewers through millions of storm drains. These drains are not commonly connected to the sewage system and as a result road run-off is discharged directly into freshwater environments without treatment. For a pilot study in 2024, in collaboration with Emissions Analytics, Earthwatch Europe’s citizen scientists collected samples of water from puddles on roads, water running from roads into rivers, and from rivers directly, to test for the presence of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Antioxidants, stabilizers and rubber compounds, indicative of tyre pollution, were found in 100% of samples collected. To examine the impact of tyre pollution further, in early 2025, concerned citizen scientists in the Evenlode Catchment will be systematically investigating the presence of these VOCs; tracking their movement from roads, to outfalls and down the river Evenlode, creating a chemical heatmap to pinpoint the most problematic outfalls. Read more about the outcomes of our pilot study in the report below ⬇️ #FreshWaterWatch #citizenscience #waterquality #watertesting #riverhealth

💧This year, let's turn the noise around river pollution into meaningful action. In our first feature of the year in the The Guardian, our Director of Science and Policy, Dr Sasha Woods, shares why we believe in the power of data for change, and in citizen science as a catalyst for action. In 2024, we ran two Great UK Water Blitzes; four-day long campaigns in which volunteers assessed nitrate and phosphate nutrient pollution in their local rivers, lakes and ponds across the UK using our simple water testing kits. In June, 2600 participants assessed the quality of 1300 freshwater bodies; and in September this rose to 4500 participants investigating 2300 sites, despite it being one of the wettest weekends of the year 💦 8️⃣ Days. 3️⃣6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Measurements. 2️⃣ Incredible snapshots of our nation’s freshwater health. 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Ordinary people coming together to create something extraordinary. ✨ Be part of the change: join us in April 2025 for our next WaterBlitz, and fight for a healthy freshwater future. Register your interest here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e5GVxhpE #GreatUKWaterBlitz #FreshWaterWatch #citizenscience #waterquality #riverhealth

“In 2024, we were really excited to see our Farming with Nature partnerships grow and branch out into the UK...” 🌾 We believe that farmers are important stewards of the environment, and that farming and nature can go hand in hand. With our Farming with Nature tools, farmers can assess farm health and make more nature-friendly choices. A huge thank you goes to all our partners who joined us on this journey this year! 💛 🎞️ Our Director of Programmes & Partnerships, Maria Pontes, shares what we’ve achieved in 2024, and what we are looking forward to in 2025.     Discover Farming with Nature 👉 https://lnkd.in/d7te-kfP  #FarmingWithNature #SustainableFarming #FarmHealth #CitizenScience

“Together, we want to create greener cities that are amazing places for people and wildlife to thrive...”    🏢🌱 As part of our Nature in Cities work, we collaborate with communities across the UK to create nature-rich spaces in urban areas, providing homes for wildlife and connecting more people with nature.    ️Our Community Engagement Manager, Divya Kumar, shares her personal 2024 highlights, and what we are looking forward to in 2025. A huge thank you goes to all our partners who supported us this year! 💚   Discover Nature in Cities 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEpf-yZA  #NatureInCities #TinyForest #GreenEarthSchools #UrbanNature #UrbanWildlife