Following restoration work between 2012 and 2015 along this stretch of the upper Wandle, the South East Rivers Trust have been working closely with Sutton council to manage the vegetation and maintain a mix of different plant species.
At this event we will be cutting back bramble and gorse and removing the invasive plant, snowberry.
Most of the work will be bankside, but we will need to cross the channel in waders to reach the work area.
All tools and equipment, inc. steel toe waders and gloves will be provided.
Meeting point: The pedestrian bridge between Riverbank Way and Culvers Retreat, Wallington, SM6 7GE.
Parking on Riverbank Way is permit holders only, the nearest available street parking is on Culvers Avenue or Culvers Retreat.
What to bring:
We will provide tea, coffee and biscuits but please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Please dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes or wellies.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on 21st January.
Minimum age 16 years old, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied16 &17 year old’s.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Following restoration work between 2012 and 2015 along this stretch of the upper Wandle, the South East Rivers Trust have been working closely with Sutton council to manage the vegetation and maintain a mix of different plant species.
At this event we will be cutting back bramble and gorse and removing the invasive plant, snowberry.
Most of the work will be bankside, but we will need to cross the channel in waders to reach the work area.
All tools and equipment, inc. steel toe waders and gloves will be provided.
Meeting point: The pedestrian bridge between Riverbank Way and Culvers Retreat, Wallington, SM6 7GE.
Parking on Riverbank Way is permit holders only, the nearest available street parking is on Culvers Avenue or Culvers Retreat.
What to bring:
We will provide tea, coffee and biscuits but please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Please dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes or wellies.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on 19th January.
Minimum age 16 years old, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied16 &17 year old’s.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Following restoration work between 2010 and 2015 along this stretch of the upper Wandle, the South East Rivers Trust have been working closely with Sutton council to manage the vegetation and maintain a mix of different plant species.
At this event we will be cutting back bramble and gorse and removing the invasive plant, snowberry. We will also work to remove small sycamore and ash trees to prevent the channel from becoming overshaded if these saplings are left to grow into larger trees.
Some sections of the bank are steep in places and it will be necessary to work from in the river channel, wearing waders.
All tools and equipment, inc. steel toe waders and gloves will be provided.
Meeting point: The greenspace between Mill Road and the River Wandle, next to the Vellum Mill Gallery, Mill Ln, Carshalton SM5 2JR
The parking here is permit holders only, the nearest available street parking is on Strawberry Lane and River Gardens- please watch out for the parking permit ‘zone’ which comes into effect along Mill Lane and can be easily missed.
What to bring:
We will provide tea, coffee and biscuits but please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Please dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes or wellies.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on 4th February.
Minimum age 16 years old, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied16 &17 year old’s.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Following restoration work between 2010 and 2015 along this stretch of the upper Wandle, the South East Rivers Trust have been working closely with Sutton council to manage the vegetation and maintain a mix of different plant species.
At this event we will be cutting back bramble and gorse and removing the invasive plant, snowberry. We will also work to remove small sycamore and ash trees to prevent the channel from becoming overshaded if these saplings are left to grow into larger trees.
Some sections of the bank are steep in places and it will be necessary to work from in the river channel, wearing waders.
All tools and equipment, inc. steel toe waders and gloves will be provided.
Meeting point: Papermill Close, on the bridge that crosses the river, Carshalton, SM5 2LE.
The parking here is permit holders only, the nearest available street parking is on Strawberry Lane and River Gardens- please watch out for the parking permit ‘zone’ which comes into effect along Mill Lane and can be easily missed.
What to bring:
We will provide tea, coffee and biscuits but please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Please dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes or wellies.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on 2nd February.
Minimum age 16 years old, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied16 &17 year old’s.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
The South East Rivers Trust has embarked on a project to improve a 1.4km stretch of the Upper Cray, running through Riverside Gardens in Orpington and St Mary Cray and ending at the Mill Brook Road upstream of Broomwood Lake.
The project comprises wetland reinstatement alongside habitat enhancements to the Upper Cray, it’s a fantastic opportunity to help restore your local river for the benefit of nature!
Join us to help construct brash wood berms to the River Cray using natural products. Berms are in channel features which narrow a channel and provide changes to the flow to help restore natural processes.
Anyone over 16 years of age is welcome, no previous volunteering or river restoration experience is required and full instruction and supervision will be given on the day.
This is physical work and whilst we will make every effort to provide a selection of different tasks, the work may not be suitable for anyone with back problems or other musculoskeletal injury.
All tools and equipment, inc. steel toe waders and gloves will be provided.
Meeting point: Riverside Gardens. Nearest postcode: BR5 4AB. Exact meeting point will be sent out to all attendees once signed up. Google map HERE
What to bring: Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear, it maybe cold so some extra layers and thick socks are advisable. We will provide hot refreshments but please bring a bottle of water and a packed lunch.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
In the event of poor weather, this activity may need to be rescheduled. We will notify all attendees by phone/email if this occurs.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on Monday 13th January 2025.
Minimum age 16 years old, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied16 &17 year old’s.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Join us at the newly restored section of the Hogsmill river in Elmbridge Meadows to erect a dead hedge.
Works are currently underway to re-naturalise a 1km stretch of the river between the A3 and Rose Walk Nature Reserve.
Once work is complete, the hedge will provide an important barrier, to protect the restored sections of river and allow the new habitat to establish and thrive.
Dogs love using the river to swim and play, and this has been an important consideration throughout the design of the Enriching Elmbridge Meadows project. We are creating two ‘doggy dips’ which are sloping, reinforced sections of bank where dogs can enter the water. By directing dogs towards these areas, and restricting access to others, we can protect the important habitat works and also provide safe entry and exit for dogs to continue using the water.
Meeting point: In the greenspace near to the Rose Walk Nature Reserve, just off the roundabout at Elmbridge Avenue, and Raeburn Avenue. Nearest postcode: KT5 8EN. Google map HERE
What to bring: Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear. We will provide refreshments but please bring a bottle of water and a packed lunch.
Booking: please rsvp using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot. If the event is already fully booked then please sign yourself up to the waiting list and we’ll be in touch if a space becomes available.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on Tuesday3rd December.
Under 16’s will need to be accompanied by an adult, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s.
Cancel your space if you can no longer make it.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Join us at the newly restored section of the Hogsmill river in Elmbridge Meadows to erect a dead hedge.
Works are currently underway to re-naturalise a 1km stretch of the river between the A3 and Rose Walk Nature Reserve.
Once work is complete, the hedge will provide an important barrier, to protect the restored sections of river and allow the new habitat to establish and thrive.
Dogs love using the river to swim and play, and this has been an important consideration throughout the design of the Enriching Elmbridge Meadows project. We are creating two ‘doggy dips’ which are sloping, reinforced sections of bank where dogs can enter the water. By directing dogs towards these areas, and restricting access to others, we can protect the important habitat works and also provide safe entry and exit for dogs to continue using the water.
Meeting point: In the greenspace near to the Rose Walk Nature Reserve, just off the roundabout at Elmbridge Avenue, and Raeburn Avenue. Nearest postcode: KT5 8EN. Google map HERE
What to bring: Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear. We will provide refreshments but please bring a bottle of water and a packed lunch.
Booking: please rsvp using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot. If the event is already fully booked then please sign yourself up to the waiting list and we’ll be in touch if a space becomes available.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on Monday 2nd December.
Under 16’s will need to be accompanied by an adult, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s.
Cancel your space if you can no longer make it.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Working closely with landowners the National Trust, the South East Rivers Trust will be working to improve river habitats along the Wandle as it flows through Morden Hall Park.
This restoration work builds on the work previously delivered in 2015 and 2020, 2022 and 2023 which provided valuable refuge habitat for small fish fry and helped kick start natural processes.
This project aims to increase habitat diversity to support a wider range of wildlife, it’s a fantastic opportunity to help restore your local river for the benefit of nature!
All tools and equipment, inc. steel toe waders and gloves will be provided.
Meeting point:
We will be meeting in Morden Hall Park, exact location will be shared in advance of the event.
There is paid parking available (free for NT members) at Morden Hall Park.
What to bring:
We will provide tea, coffee and biscuits but please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Please dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes or wellies.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on Sunday 27th October.
Minimum age 16 years old, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year old’s will need written parental consent. Please email volunteering@southeastriverstrust.org for more information.
Submit parental consent for unaccompanied16 &17 year old’s.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Come and join us in Shadoxhurst, Kent, to learn about our Upper Beult wetland creation project and help us survey for Water Voles. These large voles, which are only found along grassy banks of suitable watercourses, were once widespread across much of the UK and Moat Farm is still home to them.
We will head out across the picturesque site and look for water voles, burrows, latrines and feeding signs to better understand their presence and distribution.
Meeting point: Moat Farm, Shadoxhurst, Kent TN26 1LY. Google map HERE, What3Words: ///hedgehog.chosen.motorist
Parking available on site
What to bring:
Comfortable, sturdy shoes. Hiking boots or wellies are both suitable.
Weather appropriate clothing. Please bring a waterproof coat and extra layer if it’s chilly or a hat and suncream if it’s likely to be hot.
A bottle of water and a reusable coffee cup. We will have water, refreshments and cups available but you may want to bring your own as well.
A packed lunch.
Outdoor or gardening gloves if you have, if not we will have some spare.
Plan for the day:
10:00 – Meet, look out for the SERT flag!
10:15 – Introduction to SERT, H&S and overview of the day. Tea and coffees will be available.
10:45 – Get kitted up and head down to the river to start the water vole survey.
12:15 – Lunch.
13:00 – Continuation of water vole survey.
14:00 – Finish
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – please RSVP using the button below and complete the form to secure your spot.
Booking for this event will close at 5pm on Wednesday 2nd October.
To read our Health and Safety Guidelines for this event please click HERE.
Photos and video footage will be taken at this event and used by the Trust for promotional purposes (including but not limited to printed materials, social media, newsletters and the website) and potentially shared with our external partners and funders. From time to time, external media agencies could also take photos, film or record our events.
The Trust’s lawful basis for processing this is “Legitimate Interests” under the General Data Protection Regulations. As an individual you have rights. If you wish for SERT to stop processing this data for you, please talk to a member of staff or email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To read our Privacy Policy and see how we use and look after the information you provide when booking your spot at our events please click HERE.
Last week, we celebrated London Rivers Week by hosting four local events on our South London rivers, with 90 volunteers joining us to make a positive impact.
What is London Rivers Week?
London Rivers Week is an annual campaign that inspires the public to celebrate all of London’s rivers and the various projects that protect them. This year’s theme, “London is a River City,” focused on health, well-being, and cultural activities. Now in its eighth year, London Rivers Week continues to grow, uniting partners and communities to celebrate the abundance of rivers and waterways in London.
Cleaning up the Wandle
Cleaning the Wandle for London Rivers Week 2024
Volunteers from near and far joined us to clean up the River Wandle in Poulter Park. Their fantastic efforts resulted in the removal of a significant amount of rubbish, including tyres, a push bike, pots and pans, a huge sign, a few shoes, and some very gross cushions. A big thank you to Sutton Council for arranging rubbish removal and to Tooting and Mitcham Community Sports Club for letting us use their facilities!
Showcasing restoration on the Beverley Brook
We gave a tour along the Beverley Brook from Richmond Park to Wimbledon Common (and back again!) to learn about the history, ecology and river restoration work of the Beverley Brook. In 2015, we partnered with The Royal Parks to rehabilitate over 600m of the Beverley Brook through Richmond Park and improve the water quality of the river by implementing both engineered and nature-based solutions. This is one of our flagship projects and we love sharing it with the community and local partners – you can read more about it here!
Family fun at Elmbridge Meadows Community Day
Family Fun At Elmbridge Meadows Community Day
A fun-filled family day was the perfect opportunity for residents to find out how our Enriching Elmbridge Meadows project will re-naturalise 1km of the Hogsmill River. Our information stall gave more information on the river and the project, children enjoyed our craft activities and a small group got into the river in the afternoon to pull up the invasive plant, Himalayan Balsam. Some of our wonderful riverfly volunteers, who carry out monthly monitoring of river invertebrates, kindly gave their time to help collect river dipping samples and people of all ages took delight in seeing what actually lives in the river.
Bashing balsam on the Hogsmill Chalk Stream
We had an amazing turnout for a balsam bash on the Hogsmill with local volunteers joined by the Kingston Ramblers.
Balsam bashing on the Hogsmill River
Himalayan balsam is a big problem for river banks up and down the country. In addition to competition for pollinators, native plants must also compete for light, nutrients and space, leading to an overall reduction in native biodiversity. Moreover, the fact that the balsam dies back in the winter means that it leaves river banks bare and susceptible to erosion, and the dead leaves and stems can also cause blockages, which can lead to flooding.
What’s more, each plant can produce up to 800 seeds per year – and one plant can propel copious amounts of that seed a distance of up to seven metres!
London Rivers Week is organised for the River Partnerships in London (RiPL) via the London Rivers Week steering group. The principal organisations running London Rivers Week are the Environment Agency, Thames21, the South East Rivers Trust, London Wildlife Trust, ZSL, CPRE London, and the Thames Estuary Partnership. In addition to these organisations, many other groups run and contribute to events, walks, talks and seminars to demonstrate the value of rivers.
Another great year for the event, and we look forward to London Rivers Week 2025!
Lou Sykes, our Catchment Officer for the River Loddon, has recently recruited volunteers to undergo training for riverfly monitoring on this catchment for the first time. In this blog, she emphasises the importance of this monitoring, details what volunteers should be looking for and puts out a call for more volunteers across our wider river networks.
This year, the Loddon Catchment Partnership is focusing on investigating poor sources of water quality. We at the South East Rivers Trust (SERT) have conducted riverfly volunteer training to educate the public about freshwater invertebrates, as these creatures can serve as indicators of pollution.
Twelve volunteers have completed the riverfly monitoring training and are now regularly conducting surveys on the upper Loddon near Basingstoke to initiate the riverfly regime in this area. They are now part of a nationwide initiative to assess water quality in rivers. By consistently monitoring the river, they can identify reductions in water quality and report potential pollution issues to the Environment Agency.
So, what are Riverflies?
Volunteers checking a river sample for an RMI survey
They are tiny creatures that live in our rivers (hopefully!). Creatures such as mayfly have an evolutionary history going back hundreds of millions of years. They will spend most of their life in the water as nymphs or larvae feeding on plant life or algae.
They do important work, such as keeping things clean or stopping the build up of too much detritus.
Others are predatory and feed on other aquatic invertebrates. Some make cases from leaves, twigs, tiny pebbles and sand, acting as little underwater architects.
Others cling to rocks in faster moving waters. Some create little shelters in rocks and build little nets out of silk which they produce to catch food as it passes by.
Why are riverflies important?
Riverflies are often referred to as the canaries of our rivers as they are excellent biological indicators for monitoring water quality. The canaries reference comes from an era when mining for coal was a prevalent industry in Britain: canaries would be sent down mines before humans to test how toxic the air was. If the birds died, it was not safe for minors to enter.
Similarly, riverflies are sensitive to pollution, so finding them in the water gives us an indication of the state of the river. With Rivers Trust statistics showing that only 15% of rivers in England are rated in good overall health, riverfly monitoring is a valuable way to test the continued health of a stretch of river.
A polluted section of the River Loddon
Riverflies live comparatively long lives as nymphs or larvae on the riverbed and are relatively localised within the waterway. The types of riverfly you can find vary based on habitat diversity, flow rate, water level and water quality, so you can tell how your river is functioning based on the groups that you find.
Monitoring for riverflies is a nationally important citizen science initiative (known as RMI), developed to monitor the health of rivers and to detect potential pollution events.
The Riverfly Partnership is a network of organisations, representing a wider range of stakeholders from anglers and water course managers to conservationists and relevant authorities that are looking to protect the water quality of our rivers and conserve riverfly habitats.
How do we survey for riverflies and what are we looking for?
We survey for riverflies using a kick-sweep sample. Essentially, this involves kitting up in a pair of waders, grabbing a net and getting into the stream to ‘kick’ the riverbed and disturb the gravels to knock invertebrates living on them into your net. Your net is also swept through submerged vegetation to capture any invertebrates living in those, too. These, plus a hand search of large rocks or any other items that can’t make it into your net (yes that does occasionally mean the odd shopping trolley) make up the sample you look at.
This goes in a tray on the bank to be analysed, looking to estimate numbers of three key groups of riverflies: the up-wing flies or mayflys (Ephemeroptera), caddisflies or sedges (Trichoptera), and stoneflies (Plecoptera). We also assign freshwater shrimp (Gammarus) to this category too.
What’s next? Sign up to help!
A riverfly monitoring tray helps volunteers count numbers and types of samples
Having empowered our new volunteers on the Loddon, we are looking to expand and recruit more people to help monitor the health of rivers.
We have already lined up more training later this summer, for another group of volunteers on the Loddon catchment, giving more people the thrill of knowing they are contributing to vital data.
Would you like to know more about the creepy crawlies living in your local river and what they show with regards to water quality? Could you spend a few hours each month monitoring a stretch of river?
We are interested in building a picture of potential volunteers, for whom we can design opportunities. Please get in touch on the below form to register your interest, so that we can understand how many people might want to be trained as riverfly monitors and where they are from.
Volunteers are now collecting vital data about the health of the River Mole, after being given water quality testing kits as part of our Mending the Upper Mole project.
We are thrilled to have teamed up with River Mole River Watch, a local charity group which shares our aim to bring the river back to life for wildlife and people to enjoy.
Lewis briefs the volunteers on how to use the kits to test for pollution on the River Mole
Having picked up their kits this week, the citizen scientists will now be carrying out monthly tests for the next two years, to give us a baseline of pollutants. The volunteers will be measuring 10 aspects of river health, including levels of phosphate, ammonia, nitrate, conductivity, pH for acidity and temperature. All of this data is crucial to help us understand how to improve the river.
Lewis Campbell, SERT’s Catchment Manager in charge of the Mending the Upper Mole project, said: “It is fantastic to have a group of volunteers who want to get into the nitty gritty of looking after their local river by carrying out water quality tests to assess pollution levels. We know River Mole River Watch play an active part in caring for their stretch of river and it is brilliant to team up with them as they do so.
“The volunteers will be helping the Mending the Upper Mole project to assess the health of this section of river in a way that has not been done before. The results will allow us to highlight hotspots of pollution, helping the catchment partnership to implement strategies to combat pollution and help the catchment thrive. We have already added gravels to the river at Maidenbower to help fish and we are working on a number of other projects to improve the waterway for wildlife.”
Simon Collins, one of the Trustees of River Mole River Watch, said: “Our fantastic River Mole River Watch volunteers have been collecting water quality test data across the whole catchment every month for a year. Partnering with SERT has been very helpful indeed and we are excited by the Mending the Upper Mole project as it focusses on water quality and pollution in the Upper Mole which is a particularly sensitive part of the river catchment area. More data will help to identify hot spots and areas we can work with SERT to improve.”
The River Mole catchment partnership is co-hosted between SERT and Surrey Wildlife Trust and the vision is set out on the river network’s Storymap website. The Water Framework Directive status for the water quality in the area being assessed is rated “poor”. The area being measured starts close to the source of the Stanford Brook and encompasses much of the Gatwick Stream.
So what are we measuring and why?
The water quality testing kits that will be used by volunteers
Self-contained testing kits will allow volunteers to monitor levels of chemicals such as phosphates and nitrates. High levels of both nutrients lead to algae growing in the water, depleting oxygen levels and obstructing light making the river unsuitable habitat for other wildlife. High phosphate readings would indicate pollution has likely occurred from untreated sewage – or domestic, misconnected plumbing that bypasses sewage treatment works and goes straight into rivers form surface water drains, known as outfalls.
Another chemical tested for will be ammonia, high levels of which would suggest pollution is coming from either sewage or agriculture. Conductivity measurements will also be taken to identify the presence of salts and heavy metals, indicators of road run-off washed into the river. A temperature reading will also be taken and higher readings are likely to be an indication of spillages from outfalls.
Volunteers from River Mole River Watch receive water quality testing kits to test for pollution
Engaging people with their local rivers is pivotal to the South East Rivers Trust’s mission to improve the health of our waterways. Communities that play a role in caring for their river are vital both in monitoring the river for signs of problems and for getting stuck in to help us fix them. Lewis Campbell, our Catchment Manager for the River Mole, reviews our recent community engagement events for the Mending the Upper Mole project and looks ahead to what we have lined up for 2024.
SERT’s Lewis Campbell with volunteers at Horley
Managing the amount of litter that ends up in our urban rivers is incredibly important. The presence of unwanted rubbish not only spoils the aesthetics of our waterways but also has significant ecological implications for the health of our rivers, streams and even our oceans.
For example, discarded plastic can cause problems if it is ingested by wildlife, or it can break down into microplastics and pose a significant pollution risk.
As part of our Mending the Upper Mole project, we have recently been out and about with our wonderful volunteers removing litter from two tributaries of the River Mole.
On 24th September, which just happened to be World Rivers Day, we set up our gazebo on Riverside Gardens in Horley and invited the local community to join us in a bankside cleanup along the bank of the Gatwick Stream. We were joined by our friends from River Mole River Watch and Horley Town Council.
Local scout group members loved our event, from making crafts to taking part in the cleanup
Alongside individual volunteers from the local community, we also welcomed a local scout group, whose members not only enjoyed making crafts on our stand but set about gathering up the litter with tremendous energy.
After a few hours of work, we had removed a huge amount of rubbish from the landscape. Items mainly consisted of plastic bottles, drinks cans and food packaging. A shopping trolley and car tyre were among larger items.
Following the success of our Horley event, on 11th October we went south and hosted a group of enthusiastic volunteers for a clean-up along the Stanford Brook and its banks in Crawley. This time we were able to get into the river itself.
Looking in from the riverbank, the waterway looked relatively clean. Once we entered the water, however, the scale of the litter problem became clear: there was a lot of rubbish on the river bed which had clearly been there a long time. We collected large amounts of food wrappers and drinks cans and bottles. We also picked out three more shopping trolleys and the base of a vacuum cleaner.
The bottom half of a vacuum cleaner was found, among other items of rubbish
I’d like to extend a massive thank you to all who came and helped out at both events. To those who took part, the experience really emphasised the scale of the issue affecting our waterways: we can’t always see the extent of the damage being caused to our rivers, because much of it sinks to the bottom. Creatures in the river will try to feed on items such as plastic, while the larger items that we can see are an eyesore on cherished public spaces.
Besides tidying up our rivers, these events are also a great opportunity to engage with local people about our plans to improve the health of the waterways of the Upper Mole, around Horley, Crawley and neighbouring areas.
Back in 2017, a pollution event significantly impacted the health of the Upper Mole catchment. The South East Rivers Trust was given funding to deliver an ambitious suite of projects in order to improve the ability of the catchment to cope with such events in the future. These delivery projects will include removing barriers to fish passage, like the projects we have delivered on the Darent and Loddon, improving the quality of the river habitat, such as we have done on the Wandle, and creating wildlife refuges.
We will also work with schools and community groups in the Upper Mole to raise awareness of local rivers and to encourage engagement. Another aspect is to conduct citizen science to better understand how poor water quality is impacting the rivers and their wildlife, to help us form action plans to improve the river’s health. All of these projects come together to form what we have called the Mending the Upper Mole project.
We hope that 2024 will be the year when much of this work kicks off in earnest. A great appetite has already been shown not only by the volunteers who have turned up at our events, but by community leaders and conservation groups who are all keen to help.
There will be ample opportunities to get involved, whether you want to come and help us pick litter, clear overgrown river banks, take water samples, or all of the above. You can keep in touch with opportunities by bookmarking our events page, by signing up to SERT’s mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter or for direct enquiries email info@southeastriverstrust.org.
To learn about our Key Stage 1 and 2 sessions for primary schools on the Gatwick Stream at Grattons Park, visit our education page and read the Our River Our Water section.
Volunteers with the final haul at our Crawley cleanup on World Rivers Day
Volunteers came out in large numbers during this year’s Loddon Rivers Week, held in September, to enhance river habitats in various ways, such as by adding gravels and installing deflectors.
Some of the 80+ volunteers across half a dozen sites, who clocked up more than 300 volunteer hours, were part of established groups which regularly look after sections of this river network.
However, this year’s focus week on the Loddon, co-ordinated by the South East Rivers Trust, was also a launchpad for future action to enhance this river network, which stretches across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire.
Many people became involved in caring the river for the first time, including families keen to get involved in volunteer work parties or learning to assess river health through carrying out Riverfly monitoring for invertebrates, which they can do regularly in the coming months.
Our Loddon Catchment Officer Lou Sykes reports.
The Fish: improving habitats
Volunteers prepare to install gravel into the River Whitewater
Volunteers installed 21 tonnes of gravel into the River Whitewater at Bassetts Mead, Hook, to establish deep pools and shallow riffles, creating a rollercoaster of newly improved habitat for fish and invertebrates. Fresh gravels allow fish to spawn.
Over the past three years, in partnership with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, 81 tonnes of gravel have been added to the river, improving a 200 metre section of the river.
During this year’s Loddon Rivers Week activities, volunteers also built a willow dead hedge, protecting the new riffles from dogs and children passing by on the footpath.
The new dead hedge at Bassetts Mead, protecting the river
The sun: bringing light to the Petty’s Brook
Vegetation at the Petty’s Brook was cut back to bring light to the river
In Chineham, near Basingstoke, volunteers ‘daylighted’ a section of the Petty’s Brook. The stream in this section is largely overshaded, has a concrete lined bed and banks, and acts more like a small canal than river environment.
Overshading of a river can be one of the reasons that prevents the river from reaching good ecological status under the Water Framework Directive.
Trees are a vital element of the ecology of a river environment: they help to reduce water temperatures in summer months and to maintain oxygen levels in the water. Aquatic plants and algae are also an important component of a healthy stream, and excessive shading and reduced light prevents these from growing. We must create the right balance when restoring rivers, creating dappled shade to get the best of both worlds.
With the Chineham Volunteer Group, a relatively new group, we removed vegetation that was causing the river to be enclosed in a tunnel of trees and shrub, giving the stream encouragement to grow some aquatic plants.
Sticklebacks – a torpedo shaped small fish – moved in quickly post-clearance, giving young children at the event the opportunity to catch and inspect them in a net before setting them free back into their revamped environment.
The bugs: training communities to identify invertebrates
Families learnt to identify invertebrates in a Riverfly sample taken from the upper Loddon
Water quality is the hot topic in the Loddon catchment this year, with projects starting to accurately monitor the state of the water on our patch.
Riverfly monitoring, in part measuring which invertebrates are in rivers, is a nationally important citizen science initiative used to monitor the health of rivers and to detect pollution events.
This year, we included a riverfly ‘show and tell’ for a keen group of residents in and around Basingstoke who will soon be donning wellies or waders to start monitoring the upper stretches in our catchment.
We introduced the basics and set them up to get them identifying the invertebrates in the samples. The four bullhead fish that made it into the invertebrates sample were a happy addition to the , freshwater shrimps, mayflies, snails and leeches also found.
Revisiting the past to see the difference
In addition to all the new activities this year, we also revisited on old project at Arborfield near Reading – a novel nature-like bypass channel facilitating fish migration around four permanent weirs, which impound and restrict rivers: 11 years on, a quick fish survey showed brown trout, chub, barbel, perch and pike all living in the established channel.
As part of this event, the Wild Trout Trust demonstrated some habitat improvement techniques, installing a woody deflector and willow ledge, to improve habitat in the new channel.
Our video shows the water flowing over the new deflector.
Thank you to partners and funders
Loddon Rivers Week, which has been running since 2017, does not happen without an enormous amount of collective effort from partners, and a special thank you must go to the Environment Agency and Network Rail for funding the coordination of the week.
We would also like to thank the partners involved in the week, including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Loddon Fisheries and Conservation Consultative, Wokingham Borough Council, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Chineham Volunteer Group, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, SOLVE (Save Our Loddon Valley Environment), Hook Parish Council and Rushmoor Borough Council.
We’ll be back next year to repeat the progress made this year! Meanwhile, read our River Loddon storymap to find out the issues faced by this network, learn about what the catchment partnership, comprised of dozens of organisations, has achieved already and how you can become involved. Or keep an eye on our events page for volunteering opportunities.
The South East Rivers Trust has launched a new scheme to encourage groups to protect rivers from plastic, by cutting their reliance on single-use items. It is called the Community Action Plan and is part of our Preventing Plastic Pollution project. Below, Hannah Dry, our Plastics Project Officer, outlines the concept and how you can get involved.
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