Story perspectives

Wildlife Trusts Start 2029 White-Clawed Crayfish Restoration

8/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Wildlife Trusts and Ribble Rivers Trust launched a white-clawed crayfish restoration programme until March 2029.
The scheme will designate Ark sites and conduct surveys, monitoring, breeding and reintroduction across Lancashire, Teesside, Cumbria and Northumberland.
Populations have dropped 70-80% because of pollution, habitat loss, disease and invasive non-native crayfish.
Stan Smith, head of nature and species recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, called the scheme a milestone and the first national-scale action.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Wildlife Trusts and Ribble Rivers Trust launched a white-clawed crayfish restoration programme until March 2029.
The scheme will designate Ark sites and conduct surveys, monitoring, breeding and reintroduction across Lancashire, Teesside, Cumbria and Northumberland.
Populations have dropped 70-80% because of pollution, habitat loss, disease and invasive non-native crayfish.
Stan Smith, head of nature and species recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, called the scheme a milestone and the first national-scale action.