World Water Day launch of ‘Hodder & NASF: Together for Salmon’ ‘Orri’ award crowdfunder to restore wild salmon in Lancashire river
Ribble Rivers Trust launches crowdfunder to restore the River Hodder as part of NASF UK’s inaugural Orri Award
A new community-led river restoration campaign has launched today in Lancashire to help reverse the decline of endangered wild Atlantic salmon.
The ‘Hodder & NASF Together for Salmon’ project, delivered by Ribble Rivers Trust, is one of the first recipients of ‘The Orri’ award, a national initiative from the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) supporting practical, in-river conservation.
The campaign aims to raise £20,000 through a match-funded crowdfunder, enabling on-the-ground restoration work in the River Hodder — a key tributary of the River Ribble.
Restoring rivers from within
The project focuses on in-river habitat restoration, including the introduction and redistribution of natural gravels and the creation of features such as berms and riffles.
These interventions rebuild the physical structure of the river, creating the conditions required for salmon spawning and juvenile development.
A model for community-led recovery
The Orri Award was created to support projects that combine ecological impact with community engagement.
Through this initiative, local people will play a direct role in restoring their river — from schoolchildren participating in citizen science, to apprentices developing practical conservation skills, to volunteers monitoring salmon recovery.
A species under threat
Wild Atlantic salmon populations in the UK have declined by around 70% over the past four decades and are now classified as Endangered.
NASF UK believes that reversing this decline requires scalable, community-led, in-river solutions that address habitat degradation at its source.
Leadership perspective
Robert Sloss, Chairman of NASF (UK), said:
“We created The Orri Award to back the kind of projects that make a real difference on the ground.
By restoring river habitat — particularly spawning gravels — we can deliver rapid ecological gains while also engaging communities in meaningful, hands-on conservation.
This is about securing the future of wild salmon while rebuilding people’s connection to their rivers.”
Partner delivery
Jack Spees, CEO of Ribble Rivers Trust, said:
“The Hodder is a special river, but like many across the UK, it has been degraded over time.
This project allows us to take practical action — restoring habitat, involving local people, and building a long-term future for both the river and the communities around it.”
How to support
The Hodder Together for Salmon crowdfunder is now live, with donations matched pound-for-pound through ‘The Orri’ Award. There are lots of rewards for donors from overnight stays on the River, to meals out and wild salmon pin badges.
Supporters can contribute, share the campaign, or get involved as volunteers as work begins in 2026, go to: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hodder-together
Notes to Editors
World Water Day is held on 22 March each year and raises awareness of the importance of freshwater and sustainable water management.
About NASF (UK)
The North Atlantic Salmon Fund (UK) is dedicated to restoring wild Atlantic salmon and the rivers they depend on, they launched in autumn 2025 to support community led wild salmon river conservation projects in the UK.
Through funding, partnerships, and advocacy, NASF UK supports practical conservation projects that reconnect people with nature and deliver measurable ecological recovery.
About The Orri Award
The Orri Award is a community-based conservation fund providing match funding and strategic support to local river restoration projects across the UK.
Named after award winning wild salmon conservationist, Orri Vigfússon, it continues his legacy of bold, practical action to protect wild salmon.
About Ribble Rivers Trust
Ribble Rivers Trust is a leading UK rivers trust working to protect and restore the Ribble catchment through science-led, community-focused conservation.
Contacts: For NASF UK call Nicky Shale on 07548 882794 or email nickyshale@nasf.org.uk for Ribble rivers Trust call Charlotte Ireland Pope on 07342 935865 or email: charlotte@ribbletrust.com