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Here are some forthcoming events in which SOCS will be exhibiting or taking part:
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For more details of our Task Force dates please click here...
12th September 2010 (Sunday) - Task Force - Gravel substrate improvement.
10th October 2010 (Sunday) - Task Force - Gravel substrate improvement. |
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 We need help with our river restoration projects - SOCS are currently planning to carry out some exciting river restoration projects to improve the wildlife habitat in the Sussex Ouse catchment. The range of activities involved are varied in nature and would suit people of mixed abilities, they include–
Habitat surveying,
Aquatic flora planting Constructing fish hides
Channel modification
Introducing woody debris
Minor construction tasks
Biodiversity monitoring
We need volunteers to expand our activities to further enhance the wildlife habitat of the Sussex Ouse. Can you help, no previous experience required? |
| Find out about the SOCS Task Force …. |
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 How Clean is the water of the River Ouse and its tributaries? – Every first Sunday of the month members of the SOCS water testing team do the rounds collecting samples from 18 locations in the River Ouse catchment. Each sample is tested for ammonia, phosphate and the dissolved oxygen concentration using our “in house” testing facilities. The results of these tests are published in our Monthly Water Quality Report - The results for August 2010 are now available...
 How can we tell how Healthy the River Ouse and its tributaries are? - The simple answer is to go out and see what’s living in the water by means of capturing invertebrates! The tricky business is identifying what you’ve captured and scoring each macroinvertebrate using the BMWP protocol. These scores are used to calculate a health index for the location sampled - find out more…
 The uniqueness of Sussex Ouse Sea Trout, they’re BIG! – Research indicates they have possibly the heaviest average weight of any English or Welsh river. They show exceptionally fast growth and differ in behaviour from stocks in other rivers - find out more…
Did you know that the scales of a Sea Trout tells its life history? Like rings on a tree trunk they reveal information such as the fish’s age, growth rate, and key stages in its life- find out more…
 Wildlife Habitat, Flora & Fauna - The Sussex Ouse provides a rich habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, plants and trees. Find out about the types of habitat along the river and its tributaries, view photos and facts about the flora and fauna that you are likely to see, if you take one of our riverside walks - Flora & Fauna guide....
 Weed Planting! – Just a few decades ago most of the rivers and streams in this area had abundant growths of aquatic plants. Species like Water Crowfoot and Starwort were common. So what happened to these plants and how are SOCS trying to restore this submerged aquatic flora which is important for all river life? Read about our Aquatic Planting Project
 So what’s been happening along the riverbank recently? – Jim Smith, our field officer keeps a diary recording what he sees on his daily river patrols. A fascinating record of the ever changing flora and fauna written in Jim’s own characteristic, light hearted style. Feel the seasons change with each episode of Jim’s Diary!…
A most interesting read!..
 Schools – Is your school in the River Ouse catchment and would your pupils benefit from the Sussex Ouse Conservation Society Rivers Visit Scheme? This particular programme has been developed specifically for Key Stage 2 students and has proved to be very popular with pupils, teachers and participating parents alike - Find out more…
 Enjoy a Riverside Walk – We have produced some guides detailing the routes of some of our favourite riverside walks to provide readers with information to explore the river. Each of the walks we publish takes in as much river bank as is possible using public footpaths and provides interesting facts about historic features and wildlife along the way. New walks will be added as and when we research them - Go for one of our walks..
 Rainfall Measurement - In July 2006 SOCS became an official recorder for the Environment Agency but has been recording rainfall in the river catchment since 1995 - Without rain there wouldn't be any rivers. The seasonal pattern and quantity of rain is fundamental to the flow and health of our watercourses - SOCS is now able to present some fascinating historical comparisons. What about climate change? Do our local measurements show any interesting trends? See our monthly Rainfall Analysis for July 2010....
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the ecology of the river (January 2010) 
SOCS Joins the Association of Rivers Trusts (ART) - On 30th March 2007 S.O.C.S. became a Registered Member of the Association of Rivers Trusts (ART). We are proud to have been accepted as a member of this influential body and to become part of the national movement for the protection of UK rivers. Our membership will strengthen our capability to restore the River Ouse to a watercourse of good ecological status and protect it from the threats of pollution, over abstraction and inappropriate designs to canalise it for navigation. 
