The Rivers Trust

🌳 Almost half a million trees planted, and so much more! Today we're releasing our 2023/24 Impact Report, which tots up the incredible work done by our Rivers Trust Movement all across the UK and Ireland over the past 12 months. Our rivers are in crisis, but there are many things that can be done to help restore them to their natural function. The Impact Report includes just some of the highlights and case studies of the past year, from restoring freshwater pearl mussel populations and creating weir bypasses to allow fish passage, to partnering with British Rowing to more deeply engage a community of river champions, and launching our Big River Watch citizen science initiative. And this year, as we celebrate 20 years of The Rivers Trust umbrella organization and 30 years of the first trust that eventually led to the formation of our movement (West Country Rivers Trust), we're also looking back over the long-term impact of our collective work. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ee-sxkNY #ImpactReport #restoreourrivers #togetherforrivers #rivers #nature #wildlife #riverhealth #envronment #theriverstrust

🌲Upland streams on Thirlmere fell side in the Lake District were in need of shading to keep them cool during warm weather and to ensure good water quality. To achieve this, West Cumbria Rivers Trust and United Utilities have been busy planting a staggering 6,000 trees across five and a half hectares of land which was covered in bracken and not suitable for grazing. The site is owned by United Utilities and this work will help to increase resilience and protect the water in Thirlmere reservoir. This work is part of The Rivers Trust Woodlands for Water project, funded by Defra. It supports expert advice and assistance on creating new riparian and strategic catchment woodlands that will see new habitat creation and benefit the wider landscape. Read the BBC news story here: https://lnkd.in/evvsRXsU

💰 £11 Million waiting to restore our rivers 💧 The Water Restoration Fund was created to ensure fines from water companies go toward repairing the damage caused by pollution—but not a single penny has been spent! There are many high-quality projects submitted to the Fund, that could be achieving meaningful improvements to rivers, their catchments, and the nature and people that depend on them. The Rivers Trust Movement has written a joint letter to Water Minister Emma Hardy, urging the Government to unlock these funds and ensure they are used to start delivering the improvements our rivers and communities desperately need. Learn more and read our joint letter in our latest blog 👇 https://lnkd.in/eFGNvX_g

Our team are trying to solve a mystery 🔎💧 We’re investigating water flows at our next wetland site, near Darwen. Currently, the water disappears into a series of underground culverts and overgrown ditches. So, we’re using a special water dye to trace the flow. It might look alarming, but it’s completely safe, non-toxic, and breaks down rapidly! 🧪👀 The information we collect will ensure our new wetlands intercept overland flow, slow it down, and retain some of the water. This will help reduce flood risk downstream while also creating vital wildlife habitats! 🐝🦆 This work is part of our Community Catchments NFM project, which is funded by the @EnvironmentAgency NFM Programme. #Wetlands #NaturalFloodManagement #HabitatCreation #Darwen #Lancashire

🎉 Sunday is World Wetlands Day and we're celebrating with a new farm wetland! 🎉 This #WorldWetlandsDay, we’re excited to share the completion of a brand-new farm wetland—a powerful example of nature-based solutions in action! Thanks to a collaboration between Lidl GB, The Rivers Trust, THE WYE AND USK FOUNDATION, and a dedicated farmer, this project demonstrates how partnership can drive real change for our rivers and landscapes. The wetland, made up of two connected pools, will: 💧 Intercept water running off from the farmland 🌾 Trap sediment and filter water 🌊 Slow the flow 🦋 Boost biodiversity, creating a home for dragonflies, frogs, water voles, and more 🌧 Enhance flood resilience, helping the land cope with extreme rainfall events By treating 24,515 m³ of water per year—the equivalent of 10 Olympic swimming pools! —this wetland shows how working with nature benefits both farms and freshwater ecosystems. This project is part of Lidl’s commitment to the Courtauld 2030 agreement and showcases the benefits of nature-based buffers on farms, providing an example that could be replicated across other sites in the catchment. By working together, we can tackle shared water challenges like pollution, drought, and flooding—creating healthier rivers and more resilient landscapes. Celebrate World Wetlands Day with us and learn more about this brilliant project 👇 https://lnkd.in/evSBXf7j

🎉 Positive River News! Amid a whirlwind of news and politics this month—some of it frustrating—let’s take a moment to celebrate the good! 💙 January brought floating reed beds, natural flood management, BBC Countryfile features, and more. What was your river highlight this month? Share it in the comments 👇

Sustainable land use is crucial for both our environment and economy. We can't have one without the other. Today’s conversation is a step forward, but action is needed. We’re eager to help shape a Land Use Framework that drives decisions benefiting nature, communities, and the economy. Read our full statement in the two images below and on our website. https://lnkd.in/e8dc75RJ

As #WildSalmonConnections comes to a close, one thing is undeniable: wild salmon are in crisis and need urgent action. Across England and Scotland, declining salmon populations face mounting pressures. To address this, the Missing Salmon Alliance has outlined key policy demands, urging policymakers and regulators to take immediate and decisive action by: 1. Enacting appropriate legislation that prioritises wild salmon 2. Holding polluters accountable 3. Guaranteeing free access to cold, clean water 4. Managing land to support healthy water systems 5. Improving wild salmon survival at sea As a vital keystone species, wild salmon play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem. It is essential that we do more to protect these iconic fish. Learn more 👇 England policy asks: https://lnkd.in/e5Q6piEX Scotland policy asks: https://lnkd.in/eFEnUwVd

The Government has missed a huge opportunity to protect our rivers by failing to enshrine the Water Restoration Fund (WRF) in law—despite strong support from MPs, communities, and environmental groups. Polluters must pay to fix the damage they have caused. Our rivers, lakes, and seas deserve better. Read our full response below and on our website. https://lnkd.in/eA2R-gSw

🐟 Save Severn Estuary's Fish: Sign the petition and demand action from Hinkley! Did you know that the new Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station will extract 132,000 litres of cooling water every second from the estuary? That's equivalent to draining three Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute. 🤯 ❌ Without the promised Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD), this process puts millions of fish—including endangered species like Atlantic salmon and European eel—at risk of being sucked into its intake system and killed every year. EDF agreed to install this crucial protection back in 2013, but a decade later, it’s still not in place. Instead, EDF is trying to back out of installing it and proposing alternative compensation measures that fall woefully short of protecting these fragile ecosystems. We are not against the power station providing vital energy for the UK, BUT we are demanding that EDF install the agreed-upon fish protection measures and properly address the damage to the Severn Estuary's precious ecosystems. 🫵 What can you do? Help us hold EDF accountable and ensure that they do not go back on their plans to install the acoustic fish deterrent—sign the petition today 👇 https://lnkd.in/ex8JHfqe The petition is proudly supported by Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, Angling Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, West Wales Rivers Trust, Afonydd Cymru, Wildlife and Countryside Link, and many more. If your organisation would like to lend its support or receive the comms pack, please get in touch!