DID you know that the River Creedy near Crediton is one of only two rivers in Devon where the endangered White-clawed crayfish survives?

The River Creedy and its catchment is home to one of only two remaining populations of native, white-clawed crayfish in Devon.

Now, a project has begun to raise awareness of the plight of the white-clawed crayfish, one of Devon’s rarest endangered native species.

Catherine Farnell, Heritage and Environment Educator with The Creedy Catchment Crayfish Conservation project, explained: “The white-clawed crayfish is under threat from the invasive American signal crayfish, poor water quality and a loss of habitat.

“Native crayfish were previously found over a much wider length of the River Creedy but now only around 10 per cent of the original population survives.

“The Creedy Catchment Crayfish Conservation project, led by the Wild Planet Trust and funded by Natural England and South West Water, is raising awareness of the plight of the white-clawed crayfish.

“The project will be working with the local community, landowners and other stakeholders to develop an action plan aimed at improving water quality and restoring habitat to help safeguard the future of white-clawed crayfish in the River Creedy.”

To learn more about the project and find out how you can help the white-clawed crayfish in the River Creedy, a special evening will be held at the Boniface Centre in Crediton on Wednesday, March 15.

The evening, which will run from 7pm to 9pm, will include a series of short talks and information stands and will include free refreshments.

Everyone is invited to attend but please book a free ticket to let the Project know you are going!