After years of predation from invasive American Mink, Neovision vison, Water Vole, Arvicola amphibious, are widely recognised as Britain’s fastest declining mammal, with populations having fallen by 90%. American mink are a highly damaging, Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). Originally imported to the UK for fur-farming, escapes and releases between the 1950s and 1990s led to the widespread expansion of mink across the UK. In response, partners from the long running East Anglian Mink and Water Vole Group joined forces in 2019 with others across the fields of wildlife conservation, water management, game shooting and fishing to form Waterlife Recovery East (WRE), now Waterlife Recovery Trust (WRT). Their aim was simple, the management of mink populations to enable native water vole populations to recover and thrive. In 2020, WRE started working with Internal Drainage Boards in the South of Lincolnshire, expanding the project into Greater Lincolnshire. The Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (GLNP) joined the WRE steering group in 2021, supporting both the expansion of the project and a more strategic, coordinated approach to mink control across the region. This strategic approach has been further strengthened by neighboring county projects in South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, which are helping to buffer county borders. By working collaboratively across regions, these projects reduce the risk of mink recolonising controlled areas and support long-term recovery of water vole populations. Historically, water vole populations near Keadby in North Lincolnshire have been low. However, recent surveys undertaken by ecology officers from the Water Management Consortium indicate encouraging signs of recovery with many water vole burrows and latrines discovered (see map). This progress follows the installation of nine mink traps in the area, funded by SSE, the Isle of Axholme & North Nottinghamshire Water Level Management Board, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and WRT. The traps are managed by Axholme Pest Control and WRT. This work is a testament to the strength of partnership working across counties, sectors and organisations, all contributing to a shared goal of restoring native species populations. Water vole image © Giampaolo Masserano Categories Industry news Partnership Data and evidence Nature Recovery