FBA News
Our advocacy initiatives aim to increase awareness about local, national and international issues affecting freshwaters.
Our advocacy work has four principle aims:
Increasing the public’s awareness of the critical importance of freshwater ecosystems for people and nature.
Influencing policy makers and practitioners to drive better and faster outcomes for freshwaters.
Engaging members and citizens to get involved in grassroots conservation action for freshwaters and the climate emergency.
Providing specialist freshwater scientific advice for decision makers and stakeholders.
FBA’s Fellows play a key role in supporting our advocacy work through our Science Engagement Working Group.
Check out our latest updates
Clean Water Campaign founder fundraising for FBA
Clean Water Campaign founder, Harrison Hunter, is to attempt to swim the length of Windermere on Saturday 19 August in order to raise awareness about water quality and money for charity - including the FBA.
Big Windermere Survey secures funding from Lake District Foundation and National Trust
The FBA is delighted to announce that it has secured funding from the Lake District Foundation and National Trust to continue with the Big Windermere Survey.
The fourth Big Windermere Survey results (Jun, 2023)
The Freshwater Biological Association is delighted to share the results of our fourth Big Windermere Survey.
Hot weather triggers algal blooms in Windermere
Recent hot and dry spells in the Lake District have brought on expected returns of algal blooms in several water bodies, including Windermere.
The third Big Windermere Survey results (Apr, 2023)
The Freshwater Biological Association is delighted to share the results of our third Big Windermere Survey.
FBA partners with Institute of Environmental Sciences to develop training programme
The FBA has entered into partnership with The Institute of Environmental Sciences to develop a modularised training programme based on the new Biology and Ecology Handbook.
FBA to host Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences
The Freshwater Biological Association is delighted to announce that it will be hosting SEFS13 from 18th - 23rd June 2023 in Newcastle.
FBA secures major grant for the Riverfly citizen science programme
The Freshwater Biological Association has recently developed and secured a £300,000 grant to develop the Riverfly Partnership nationally over the next three years.
The second Big Windermere Survey results (Jan, 2023)
The Freshwater Biological Association is delighted to share the results of our second Big Windermere Survey.
FBA calls on world leaders at COP to recognise the value of freshwater ecosystems
The Freshwater Biological Association calls on world leaders at COP to urgently recognise the critical value of freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands.
The first Big Windermere Survey results (Sep, 2022)
The results of the biggest ever citizen science survey examining the water quality of Windermere – England’s largest natural lake are now available.
Cyanobacterial blooms on Windermere: Statement by FBA
Statement by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster University, and Freshwater Biological Association on cyanobacterial blooms on Windermere.
SIL Congress updates
We are excited to welcome you in Berlin or online for the SIL Centennial. Here’s an overview of the day to day program.
Freshwater Biology and Ecology Handbook is published (Jul, 2022)
The Foundation for Water Research (now part of the Institution of Environmental Sciences) and the Freshwater Biological Association are pleased to announce the launch of their Freshwater Biology and Ecology Handbook.
Love Windermere partnership announced
A new “Love Windermere” partnership sees the biggest ever cooperation of sectors to tackle challenges in the lake.
The Big Windermere Survey: A call for Citizen Scientists (Mar, 2022)
Calling on local citizen scientists to help assess the health of England’s largest natural lake.
Joint expression of solidarity with Ukrainian people and support of researchers
Expression of support for Ukrainian researchers by the International Society of Limnology (SIL), The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), The Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), The European Federation for Freshwater Sciences (EFFS), and The Society of Freshwater Science (SFS).
Lake District sewage could leave Windermere ecologically dead: Letter of Response to the Guardian
FBA Executive Director Simon Johnson’s response to the article entitled “Lake District sewage could leave Windermere ‘ecologically dead’” published in the Guardian on 8th October.
Climate Change in Freshwaters: Statement by FBA
In the run up to COP26, the FBA echoes the call from WWF and the World Aquatic Scientific Societies to encourage world leaders to recognise the extraordinary importance of freshwaters.