We now have a total of 14 rivers trusts across the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, The Rivers Trust network stretches from the Lagan River in the east to Erne system in the west, with a total of 8 trusts across the country. Two of these rivers trusts, the River Blackwater Catchment Trust and Erne Rivers Trust are cross-border, making them the first international rivers trusts. In Ireland, the well-established Slaney Rivers Trust and Nore Rivers Trust have been joined by a growing number of newly formed trusts, including Inishowen Rivers Trust in County Donegal, Maigue Rivers Trust in County Limerick and the Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust in County Kerry. A newly establish Association on the River Moy in County Mayo is building the foundations for what could become another Irish rivers trust. The trusts on the island of Ireland join the 44 in England and Wales and 25 rivers and fisheries trust in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the growth of the Rivers Trust network is being funded by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Natural Environment Fund. Mark Horton, CEO of Ballinderry Rivers Trust in County Tyrone and All-Ireland Director of the Rivers Trust is being funded to assist newly forming and existing trusts. In Ireland, The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG) and the newly formed Local Authority Water and Communities Office (LAWCO) are keen to see the development of rivers trusts across the country. The Department has provided funding to support Mark’s role as All-Ireland Director to offer advice and support to groups who are interested in forming a rivers trust in their area. Mark is available to provide guidance to groups on what rivers trusts are, the work they are involved in and how they form, as well as support and guidance in then setting up a rivers trust as a charity in both Northern Ireland and Ireland. If you would like to find out more about rivers trusts contact Mark Horton (All-Ireland Director) on 00 44 (0)28 867 61515 or e-mail [email protected].