• The Environment Agency (EA) has extended its long-standing partnership with the Wild Trout Trust (WTT) to help improve river habitat for fish and wildlife
• The Wild Trout Trust made improvements to more than 120km of rivers in England in 2021
• Income from rod licences will continue to fund the partnership to deliver support for angling clubs and grassroots conservation efforts

The Environment Agency has extended its partnership with the Wild Trout Trust until 2025 to provide advice and carry out practical work with angling clubs, landowners and other partners. The agreement will deliver projects across the country which improve the natural environment, contributing to more resilient rivers and fisheries habitats.

Building on successes so far, the partnership will further support grassroots conservation efforts and also provide vital advice and recommendations to help angling clubs play their part to enhance wild trout populations across England.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the partnership was able to improve more than 120km of rivers across England in 2021 and continued to raise awareness of river and trout conservation through workshops and the media.

Kevin Austin, Deputy Director of Fisheries with the Environment Agency, said:

“We have enjoyed many productive years of working with the Wild Trout Trust to improve rivers, trout populations and other wildlife across England and I am pleased to see this extended. We hope this renewal will see the partnership grow even stronger to further involve people and communities in conservation and continue to provide a range of vital services for anglers across the country.

“We are confident that by working together, angling will continue to flourish and provide a popular pastime for more and more people.”

Shaun Leonard, of the Wild Trout Trust, said:

“We very much value our partnership with the EA’s fisheries teams. England’s rivers are in trouble from climate change, pollution, abstraction and poor habitat but through this partnership, we’ve done some really good work together advising and delivering practical habitat improvements with angling clubs, landowners and local community groups. We look forward to a further three years of this productive partnership with the EA.”

The partnership receives a minimum of £90,000 of rod licence income each year.