Recovering our Rivers

Split level view across river with plants visible below the water and trees on far bank

Split level view of the River Leith, with aquatic plants: Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus penicillatus subsp. penicillatus) in flower, with some flowers submerged, England: Cumbria, Eden Valley, Great Strickland, September - Linda Pitkin/2020VISION

Recovering our Rivers

Recovering our Rivers

Healthy, naturally functioning rivers and floodplains provide clean water, mitigate flooding and are wonderful wildlife habitats. 

The River Wye and its tributaries should be proud and joyous examples of healthy rivers, considering that they are protected sites as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), national and international designations intended to protect the highest quality rivers.  Sadly, that is not the case.

Issue are many and complex but include agricultural pollution, sewage, invasive species and climate change. As a Trust we are working to build collaborative relationships and collaborative solutions to the challenges both nature and our communities face. Our campaign will at all times support and champion farmers working to improve land for nature.

Dipper

Dipper © Tom Marshall

Our river recovery work

We're working in the Wye and Lugg catchments, with landowners, to implement natural flood management measures and restoration interventions to benefit both wildlife and people.

Read about our current work
View along wide, low river in summer with man in centre kneeling over a white tray

River Wye - Ecologist sampling the river in August 2022 (c) Will Watson

Take Action

Whether you have five minutes to spare or five hours, there's something you can do: send an email, sign a petition, take part in citizen science.

Take action today

River restoration news and blogs

Illustration of a woman created from river wildlife with text in blue