A RESEARCH facility near Okehampton is to host a science day next week for people to find out about the Taw River Improvement Project (TRIP).

The project aims to improve the health of the vital river ecosystem through targeted habitat management work, and by reducing the amount of pollution entering the river.

Funding will also be used to remove obstacles such as weirs, to create joined up habitats enabling fish and other aquatic animals to move freely between different stretches of river.

The project partnership is led by the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and the Westcountry Rivers Trust, and includes numerous partners ranging from the Devon Wildlife Trust and the River Taw Fisheries Association to the Tarka Country Trust.

The project is managed by the environmental charity, the Westcountry Rivers Trust, which made the successful bid to the Environment Agency for funding from the Catchment Restoration Fund (CRF).

On Thursday, September 19 North Wyke research station, run by Rothamsted Research, will host a TRIP science day to give people the chance to hear about some of the research and monitoring work going on to improve our understanding of why some sections of the river system are failing good ecological status.

The event is part of the B10 celebrations, commemorating ten years of the North Devon Biosphere.

The day will begin with an introduction by Andy Bell, North Devon's Biosphere co-ordinator talking about the biosphere's tenth anniversary.

There will be a number of guests speakers, and the day will include a five minute walk to see the remediated site of the North Wyke weir removal, as well as an electro fishing display, which is the technique used to assess the effectiveness of the weir removal. There will also be a chance to try your hand at kick sampling for, and identifying invertebrates from the river Taw.

Places are free but booking is required - to book your place visit http://doodle.com/exfzp2uxfbq2ta6f">http://doodle.com/exfzp2uxfbq2ta6f