fish swimming with river graphic in the background

The 2021 Rivers Trust Review is live!

The Rivers Trust movement goes from strength to strength, delivering on-the-ground improvements for rivers across the UK and Ireland.

Emily Cooper

07/06/22

2021 saw the movement to protect and improve our rivers grow faster than ever before - and that’s thanks to you.

Rivers Trust Review impact graphic

Over the past year, supporters like yourself have caused an explosion in public interest surrounding river health. As a result, we’ve seen a huge amount of media interest, covering the manifold issues facing our rivers; shifts in policy, drawing us closer to a future where rivers are protected from harm; and more people than ever developing a close bond with their local river.

At the same time, our fantastic member Trusts have been fighting on the front line of river restoration. They achieved some fantastic things in 2021 - engaging with over 15,000 volunteers, delivering over 600 river clean ups, and planting 277,000 (!) trees.

The numbers are impressive, but they don’t quite capture the on-the-ground, grassroots, wet boots approach our Trusts take. As a snapshot into the fascinating work which takes place across our movement, we’ve curated a few of our favourite case studies from 2021. Here’s a taster:

  • Harnessing nature’s power to reduce flood risk: West Cumbria Rivers Trust are using nature-based solutions to reduce the risk of flooding in Keswick and beyond.
  • Eel-y good citizen science: Thames Rivers Trust led a partnership of Rivers Trusts on an exciting scheme of citizen science. Local people developed a connection with their river while mapping obstacles to eel migration, helping to address a threat to this endangered species.
  • Restoring rivers: The River Nene is a hugely important river, both ecologically and culturally. However, years of navigation have taken a toll on this habitat. River Nene Regional Park are carrying out extensive work to help the habitat thrive again.
  • Fish passage: Severn Rivers Trust played a vital role in Unlocking the Severn - a project which aims to make the Severn and its tributaries more fish friendly. The creation of the Diglis Fish Pass meant that the endangered twaite shad could pass Diglis Weir for the first time in nearly 180 years!
  • Building flood resilience: alongside partners, the Tweed Forum are fighting to build flood resilience around the River Glen - bridging the gap between a previously managed river, and a modern-day situation where natural processes are kicking back in.

Feeling inspired? Read the full review below, or donate to support our work.

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