We are very excited to introduce Kate Whitton, our new Chalk Stream Resilience Officer for the Lavant. Read on to find out more about Kate and this exciting new role…
Welcome Kate - please tell us a little bit about your previous work experience and background.
I have worked for the environmental sector for much of my life. For my first role I worked for the RSPB for seven years as an Aren’t Birds Brilliant Assistant, progressing through to Senior Events Officer and then to Volunteer Co-ordinator for the Arun and Rother Connections partnership project.
Once the project ended I was offered a role with the Marine Conservation Society as Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager. For six years I had the pleasure of working across the length and breadth of the South East with many different volunteers and on various citizen science projects such as microplastics, beach cleans and the Big Seaweed Search. Most recently I was involved with a domestic retrofitting project reducing carbon and energy use in homes.
What does the role of Chalk Stream Resilience Officer involve?
I am super pleased to be part of the WSRT team. My role will cover the Aldingbourne rife and Lavant river and I’ll be looking at how I can help interested parties and landowners to improve and restore these waterbodies. Chalk streams are incredibly rare, valuable and beautiful habitats, and we’re very lucky to have 85% of them in England. Along with the Rivers Trust team I will be promoting the importance of water quality and monitoring, surveying and sampling, as well as removing barriers and re-naturalising the rivers.
How have your first few days been at WSRT?
I’ve had a fantastic first few days meeting the team and getting to know everyone’s role. It’s been great to get out on the ground straightaway and see stretches of the Aldingbourne and the Lavant and this is just the start. I’ve been introduced to some amazing people already and I have lots of meetings and site walks planned before Christmas to get myself as prepared as possible for the coming months.
What parts of this role are you most excited about?
Rivers have always been a major happy place for me – as soon as I saw the role and the huge potential for restoring these areas, I had to apply. I am very excited to help bring people together to realise positive change for rivers. There are some great opportunities for restoring the Lavant and Aldingbourne back to better health and I am keen to work very closely with stakeholders and partners to realise a better future for the river and for the communities living next to it.
What challenges do you think you’ll face in this this role?
It’s always a challenge to bring so many diverse stakeholders together but I’m sure we can do it. I really want to ensure that there is a harmonious and rewarding balance regarding the needs of landowners and the needs of the river. There are some great solutions to help benefit the river and the environment and those in turn will benefit the landowners. It’s a win for everyone.
And finally, what’s your favourite river memory?
When I was small my mum and dad took myself and my brother on holiday to Dorset. We spent a lot of time walking the countryside and spending time by the local rivers. We went to Piddletrenthide and I remember walking up the river Piddle, barefooted, thoroughly excited by the stony riverbed under my toes, seeing young fish darting all around, running my fingers through the beds of river weed and seeing the dappling of light and shade created by the trees overhead. It was a long lasting magical moment and I’ve treasured those memories and that experience ever since.
Being part of the Rivers Trust is a wonderful feeling. We can all make a positive difference to our lives and the environment - if we look after the rivers, the rivers will look after us - I am thrilled to be part of this movement.
