We are the pollution fighters, the habitat makers, community connectors, truth seekers, soil saviours, dam busters, wilderness restorers, river defenders. We are Rivers Trusts. Join the Riverlution
About us
We are the umbrella body of the Rivers Trust movement, working to protect, promote and enhance our freshwater ecosystems for both people and wildlife.
With the support of over 60 member Trusts across the UK and Ireland, we work on the ground, in the heart of the community, to promote a sustainable future for our river environments.
Originally named the ‘Association of Rivers Trust’ in 2001, we were granted charitable status in 2004 and later changed our name to ‘The Rivers Trust’ in 2011.
We are proud members of Blueprint for Water, Wildlife and Countryside Link and are administrators of the Catchment Based Approach.
Your local Rivers Trust
Our member Trusts are independent community-led charitable organisations, recognised as important deliverers of education, water management advice and practical conservation work, from source to sea – improving land, rivers and wetlands at a catchment or river basin scale.
Find your local trust here or, if you would like to find out more about setting up your own local Rivers Trust, get in touch.
Key stats
In the last year, Rivers Trusts* in the UK have…
Planted over 220,000 trees
Worked with more than 590 schools
Opened up more than 320km of river to fish passage
Addressed 414 pollution incidents and water quality issues
Assisted 128 communities at risk of flooding
Worked on over 1000 farms
Improved over 550km of river habitat
Eased, passed or removed over 80 fish barriers
Created or restored over 70 wetlands
*35 Trusts surveyed in 2018
Meet the team
Our Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall control and strategic direction of The Rivers Trust. They meet regularly and bring a wealth of experience to support the general management of the charity.
President: Ian Gregg OBE
Trustees:
Jonathan White (Chairman)
Dr Geoff Brighty
David Brown
Dr Laurence Couldrick
Jo Harrison
Charlotte Hitchmough
Sandy Muirhead
Jack Spees
Andrew Wallace
Our consultancy services
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Rivers Trust, get in touch. We have free ‘start up’ packs available and can provide bespoke advice on how to identify demand, catchments, legal structures and charity registration. We also offer help and advice on fundraising, technical protocols and best practice.
Visit our River Ecosystem Services pages for detailed information on our consultancy services.
This website has been part funded by EU LIFE Integrated Projects and the Greggs Foundation.
