Exmoor National Park Authority - Get Involved

Barle

Work as part of an innovative research project to control numbers of the invasive signal crayfish on the River Barle upstream of Withypool.  You'll spend the morning walking a reach of the river checking artificial refuge traps with other volunteers.  Tasks include emptying traps in-river, processing crayfish (measuring, sterilisation, humane dispatch) and data recording.

For health and safety reasons the work is dependent on river levels.  They must be below 0.18m as recorded by the Environment Agency river gauge at Simonsbath.  You can view this here

Time Commitment 

At least 6 mornings over the survey period (April to October). The activity takes place every Tuesday (river levels allowing).

We need at least 3 people and we meet at 09.30, finishing around 1 – 2pm. We usually eat lunch together when the works are finished.

If you are unable to make the minimum commitment of 6 days you can add your name to the backup list, If we then have spaces we'll let you know.

Skills needed

You will need to be able to

• Walk on rough ground, climb up and down river banks

We ask volunteers to sign up at least one week in advance  and to give at least 24 hours notice if cancelling so we can ensure we have adequate cover.