Pearl Rivers Pilot Project 

This project ran from 2011 to 2012 and focussed on assessing and improving a section of the River Mole in order to bring it up to standard for potential translocation of freshwater pearl mussels into this river. 
17 volunteers were involved in carrying out a 15km habitat walkover
survey. Specialist advice reports on reducing diffuse pollution from
agriculture were given to 12 farmers. 
Of these farms, 8 were offered grant aid to help tackle the most
important issues identified.  Some of the grant was used for fencing cattle out of the river and some used for setting up alternative water supplies for stock. 
The project was funded by the Environment Agency and run by the North Devon Biosphere Service for the Tarka Country Trust.