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...the website for talks, walks and advice on all aspects of UK canal ecology and conservation matters:
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About Canal Ecology... Talks | Walks | Advice | Media | Contact
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The Canal Ecology Consultancy provides information on all aspects of nature conservation or other ecological issues on the canals of the UK. We can also provide advice on canal heritage issues. |
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UK canals mostly date from the late 18th and early/mid 19th centuries, and were built for horse-drawn freight transport. Their ecological interest and value has developed over many years and is now a key element of their heritage value, known since Victorian times, and recognised by the many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that have been designated on canals since the early 1950s. The canals today have a new use as recreation corridors - for walkers, anglers, cyclists and of course pleasure boaters. These new uses for canals can sometimes conflict with their ecological value - and compromises need to be reached. An increasing number of disused canals are now being 'restored' for modern use, and ecological and heritage challenges often arise in this process. And since all these canals are artificial structures, with 200-year-old lined water-channel, embankments, cutting, locks, bridges and tunnels, they have significant maintenance needs - always needing local repairs and periodically needing major civil engineering refurbishment. Ecological and heritage challenges are now a regular feature of these works - with many new techniques and innovative solutions needed.
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We are available for illustrated talks on all these issues, including a general presentation that covers the history of ecological interest in canals, the wildife value of canals today, the current trends in biodiversity conservation and the challenges these bring for canal managers, engineers and users. Talks on specific and topical problems and sites are also available, and can be tailored to you or your group's particular interests. For more details and booking requests please contact us.
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WalksWalks to illustrate canal ecology, heritage and conservation matters are also available, tailored to your location and your local canals/interests. For more details and booking requests please contact us.
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AdviceGeneral advice on canal ecological conservation and heritage conservation matters is also available on a consultancy basis.No job too small, no job too large! For more details please contact us.
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MediaJonathan Briggs has extensive media experience on canal issues, and has been featured in several national newspaper articles, regularly acting as an environmental spokesman for British Waterways from 1993.His audio broadcast media experience on canals has included news features on all the national network radio stations - talking on subjects as varied and as controversial as water voles, alien crayfish and zander, and pondweed/boat traffic conflicts. He has also taken part in several canal feature programmes on BBC Radio 4. There have been innumerable local radio appearances.Television has include several contributions to BBC Countryfile, regional TV series on canals and appearances on many national and regional TV news programmes, including national breakfast , lunchtime and evening news.Information about his own canal writing work, including his forthcoming Canal Wildlife book is given in the "Who are we?" box on the left.Jonathan is available to advise on or take part in media events, interviews etc.Full contact details are given below.
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ContactCanal Ecology is based in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, UK.We can be contacted by email: jonathanbriggs@canalecology.co.uk Or by phone: |
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