For more than 25 years the Society has been actively engaged in the conservation of Grayling.

Conservation

The Society now provides an opportunity for its members to make a direct contribution to the conservation and sustainability of the grayling, its habitat and fisheries. In order to keep habitats alive and flourishing in this time of tight financial budgets, members pay dues, contact organizations, casinos, and other area businesses in order to plan fundraisers and awareness for the conservation of Grayling. These contributions create plans of actions, jobs, and tourism.

Since the appointment of a Conservation Projects Officer (CPO) in 2002, The Grayling Society has allocated a sum of money that is available for undertaking a project that directly benefits the conservation of grayling in the United Kingdom. Such projects could range from part-financing habitat improvement works, through initiatives such as the promotion of catch-and-release of grayling, to increasing access to grayling anglers on the riverbank. The money pot will be replenished each financial year.

How do I go about making an application?
An application form is available from the Grayling Society and is downloadable from this website. The CPO will receive all applications for grants in the first instance and make an assessment of suitability based on merit and cost. This will take into account such things as value for money, match funding, conservation benefit, impact on grayling stocks, sustainability, etc. The CPO will then make recommendations to the Grayling Society Committee. The Committee will make the final decision as to which projects are funded in the current year. The CPO will follow the progress of projects making interim reports to the Committee and again on completion.

Rules of application
1. Application for a Grayling Society conservation grant is open to any adult (18 years and over) with an interest in grayling conservation – you do not need to be a member of The Grayling Society.
2. Applicants must submit a completed proposal form to the CP Officer.
3. The Maximum available grant will be £3000 in each financial year (1st July to 30th June) but may increase if future demand dictates.
4. The project must be undertaken in the same financial year as the application.
5. Conservation grant money cannot be deferred from one year without the express permission of the GS Committee.
6. Unsuccessful applicants may re-submit their grant bid in the following financial year.

Conservation Projects supported Since the scheme began, The Society has sponsored several projects including:
1. The River Monnow Project. This is a collaborative project to restore the upper Monnow catchment and its tributaries to its former glories through habitat improvement – securing a future for wild trout and grayling populations.
2. The Clyde Rivers Foundation – a survey of grayling populations in the River Clyde.
3. The Forth Fisheries Foundation – grayling survey and restoration work.
4. The River Annan District Salmon Fishery Board – survey of fish populations in the River Annan.

(Although 2,3 & 4 may not be readily classed as conservation projects, they make steps to promote the awareness of grayling and the potential of grayling angling in Scottish rivers supporting large salmon and sea trout fisheries. Grayling were misguidedly seen as competitors to salmon and actively removed)