UK Cumbrian river wins global praise

The results are already clear.

The river has a newfound life, where salmon have returned, otters are thriving and in some areas, natural flood defences have now reformed, once again protecting the local and agricultural communities. 

Despite missing out on the award to a project in Chicago at the global finals, the Cumbria programme beat a vast amount of other international entries and can fairly brag about being one of just four finalists. 

It must be mentioned that the Cumbrain river is already well regarded and has won several awards over the last few years, being current holders of the European River Prize.

Olly Southgate, Cumbria River Restoration Programme Manager at the Environment Agency, said,

We’re incredibly proud that our partnership approach was nominated amongst some of the planet’s largest river restoration projects and it serves as recognition of Cumbria’s environmental leadership on the world stage.

The programme shows how sustainable, nature-based restoration can transform waterways for future generations. From removing barriers to fish migration to creating natural flood defences, we’re proving that local action delivers real results for climate resilience.

Every restored river, every reconnected floodplain, every returned salmon represents progress towards a future where people and nature thrive together. That vision, and the partnerships that make it possible, matter far more than any prize.