River Heroes

Celebrating the organisations and campaigns doing extraordinary work for UK rivers

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Standing Up for UK Rivers

These groups, trusts, and campaigns are on the front line — restoring habitats, monitoring water quality, holding polluters to account, and rallying communities around rivers they love. They deserve recognition.

River Action

National campaign group leading the fight against river pollution and sewage discharge across the UK, backed by a practical 'River Rescue Kit' for grassroots campaigners.

The Rivers Trust

Umbrella charity connecting dozens of local river trusts across England and Wales, coordinating catchment-wide restoration work.

Surfers Against Sewage

Campaigns nationwide against sewage pollution in rivers and coastal waters, backed by a network of regional volunteer representatives.

WildFish

Formerly the Salmon and Trout Association, working to protect wild fish populations and the rivers they depend on.

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Dedicated to saving wetlands for wildlife and people, running flagship reserves and conservation programmes across the UK.

The Riverfly Partnership

A national network of organisations protecting rivers by monitoring riverfly populations, an early-warning signal for water quality.

Freshwater Habitats Trust

Formerly Pond Conservation, working to protect and restore freshwater habitats — rivers, ponds and wetlands — across the country.

The Wildlife Trusts

A UK-wide federation of local trusts carrying out hands-on river and wetland conservation, from habitat restoration to community river walks.

Stormwater Shepherds

Tackling plastic and urban pollution at the source, working with communities to stop waste reaching rivers.

The Sewage Campaign Network

A coalition of inland water users and campaign groups uniting to end sewage pollution in UK rivers.

Afonydd Cymru

The umbrella body linking Wales' six river trusts, coordinating conservation work across Welsh catchments.

Atlantic Salmon Trust

Research-led charity working to restore wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout populations in UK rivers.

Save the Wye

Grassroots campaign fighting to protect the River Wye, one of Britain's most treasured waterways, from agricultural pollution.

Ribble Rivers Trust

Restoring habitats and water quality across the Ribble catchment in Lancashire through hands-on conservation projects.

Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust

Formed from the merger of two Sussex conservation societies, working across the Ouse and Adur catchments to protect local rivers.

South East Rivers Trust

Leads river restoration projects across South East England, including reviving London's River Wandle.

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust

Champions the Bristol Avon catchment, running restoration projects to improve habitat and water quality.

West Country Rivers Trust

Works across Cornwall and Devon on catchment-scale conservation, from crayfish protection to river restoration.

Eden Rivers Trust

Protects and restores the River Eden catchment in Cumbria through habitat and water quality projects.

Wye and Usk Foundation

Works across the Wye and Usk catchments on fisheries and habitat restoration to protect two of Wales' most iconic rivers.

Thames21

London's leading river restoration charity, running community clean-ups and habitat projects across the capital's waterways.

Quaggy Waterways Action Group

Community group in South East London that has spent decades restoring the River Quaggy and its waterways.

The London Waterkeeper

Monitors and campaigns against pollution across London's rivers, holding polluters accountable.

Cam Valley Forum

Works to protect and improve the environment of the River Cam and its tributaries in Cambridgeshire.

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Know Another River Hero?

If there's an organisation we've missed, get in touch — we'd love to shine a light on more of the brilliant people working to protect UK rivers.