Upstream Battle: a river Esk litterpick

Having had to cancel our brave attempt to carry out a litter pick back in January on a weather warning day, we are pleased to annouce that we have a litter picking event running in the centre of Dalkeith on Friday the 2nd of May.

Forth Rivers Trust will be hosting this session, providing all necessary tools and equipment, so whether you've never done any litter picking before, or if you're an old hand at it, we'd love to see you there!
We may even have opportunities for some volunteers to help clear out the river channel itself, requiring participants to wear waders so that they can access the river and get in the water. If you wish to be one of our wading volunteers please book one of these specialist tickets labelled 'river wading tickets', ASAP.

Initially set up as part of a "day of action" along the river our litter pick is just one of several taking place on the Esk this spring as part of a collaborative effort between Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), the Scottish Seabird Centre (SSC), the Scottish Coastal Cleanup (SCCU) and the Forth Rivers Trust (FRT).

80% of marine litter is derived from land-based sources. Help us tackle the litter emergency by participating in this litterpick and litter survey for KSB's Upstream Battle campaign, after all, the litter found upstream in the river will eventually become the problem of those living downstream.

The results will contribute to KSB’s national dataset, which is used to campaign for cleaner oceans and to increase understanding of marine pollution and habitats.

Friendly, quiet dogs are welcome, but we ask they be kept on a lead throughout the activity for the sake of others in the group. If you are responsible for a dog, you cannot also wade in the river.

Route

This event will concentrate on the South Esk upstream of Dalkeith Country Park, upstream of the Muselburgh Road Bridge. The group will meet at car park at the end of Bill Russell Grove. We may walk upstream as far as Newbattle Abbey College however, we will return to our start point at the end of the session.

Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ww7iLwVqPKXQGGnE6

What will we provide?

FRT will provide some hot drinks and biscuits to keep everyone going. We'll also provide the kit participants require: gloves, litter-pickers, bin bags and alcohol hand gel. You will need to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions.

For those wading, we will provide additional PPE such as waders. FRT will contact you prior to the event regarding this equipment.

A health and safety briefing will take place before the litter pick begins.

What do you need to bring?

Walking boots or shoes with good grip, clothing appropriate for the weather outside, a drink and food as required, any medication you may need, a mobile phone, sun protection (good weather days).

Accessibility

We will be on the move for around 2 hours during this cleanup, the route includes some gentle slopes and unsurfaced and uneven ground. Underfoot conditions could be uneven, rocky or slippery. We will always try to adjust the pace and the route to make sure that everyone is comfortable, but please let us know in advance if you have questions or concerns about the distance or the route. You can direct queries to citizenesk@forthriverstrust.org.

Various bus services are available from the directions of Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Penicuik and the Borders. The nearest bus stops (with routes including 140, 141 and X33) is on Musselburgh Road here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zrh1kaULtw915Csc9.

Parking at the meet-up location is free of charge, although spaces are limited.

Public toilets are not available at this location. the closest available public toilets are located in the Morrisons near the Centre of Dalkeith. Here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wBnXSFLE4DsgwfEa8

Keeping everyone safe

Our group leader is a trained first aider and will be carrying a first aid kit and mobile phone. A copy of the risk assessment for the walk will be available to view before/during the event.

What if the event is cancelled?

In the event of bad weather cancellation, we will try to make a decision 24h in advance of the event start time. In the event of a cancellation for other reasons we will try to make you aware asap however, we advise checking for updates on the morning of the event using the email address you used to book your tickets.