By Philip Nice, Trustee at The River Cree Hatchery & Habitat Trust and Alex Papuca, River Action

 

In south-west Scotland, along the banks of the River Cree, the local community has been leading an inspiring fight to protect one of the UK’s most iconic and now endangered species: the Atlantic salmon.

The River Cree Hatchery & Habitat Trust SCIO (RCHHT), based near Newton Stewart, has become the first Scottish recipient of the Orri Vigfusson Award, a new community-based salmon conservation grant launched by the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF UK).

About the Orri Vigfusson Award

 

The Orri Vigfusson Award is named after the late Orri Vigfússon, an internationally respected salmon conservationist. It’s delivered by NASF UK and supports locally led projects restoring salmon rivers and reconnecting communities with wild Atlantic salmon.

Charities and community groups working in habitat restoration, education and community engagement are encouraged to apply. The award provides match funding for practical projects delivering lasting benefits for rivers, salmon and the people who depend on them.

 

Community Action for an Endangered Species

 

Atlantic salmon are now classified as Endangered in the UK, making local conservation efforts more urgent than ever.

Founded in 2011, the River Cree Hatchery & Habitat Trust has spent 14 years restoring habitat, supporting wild salmon populations and reconnecting people with their river.

Their volunteers have cleared self-seeded non-native sitka spruce from over 70km of riverbanks and planted more than 17,000 native trees, helping rebuild healthier river habitats across the Cree catchment.

At the centre of their work is a successful hatchery and restocking programme, improving the survival of salmon fry and strengthening the river’s wild population.

Education at the Heart of the Hatchery

 

The hatchery is also a hub for learning and community engagement.

Over the past 14 years, RCHHT has welcomed more than 550 primary school children, alongside youth groups such as Scouts and Guides. Each year, 70 children from six local schools take part in the Trust’s “Primary Process”, a series of fully funded visits exploring the salmon life cycle and river ecology.

The Trust has also supported young adults through Community Jobs Scotland placements, helping several participants move into full-time employment.

Expanding the Hatchery’s Impact

 

The Orri Vigfusson Award provides £10,000 in match funding to support the next stage of hatchery development.

RCHHT is now launching a crowdfunding campaign, with NASF UK matching donations pound for pound up to £10,000. Funds will help expand the hatchery building, improve accessibility, install a new gravity-fed water supply and enhance educational displays, boosting both salmon conservation and community outreach. You can help support their crowdfunder here.

Could your community group apply for the Orri award in 2026?

 

The River Cree Hatchery & Habitat Trust is a powerful example of local people stepping up to protect the river that sustains their community.

If your organisation works on a salmon river and is delivering community-led restoration, education or habitat improvement, the Orri Vigfusson Award is an opportunity well worth keeping an eye on. NASF UK is expected to run another Orri Award funding round in 2026, given the intention to make this an ongoing community grant, but formal details and dates have not yet been confirmed publicly.

Charities and local groups interested in applying should watch the NASF UK Orri Award page and sign up for updates, as announcements for the next cycle will most likely appear there first.

Congratulations to RCHHT on becoming Scotland’s first Orri Vigfusson Award recipients!