- The South East Rivers Trust joins the Rivers Trust Movement in asking the public to record observations in the Big River Watch from 19th – 25th September.
- The simple, app-based survey includes questions on river wildlife, signs of pollution, and health and wellbeing
- Results from our bi-annual campaign weeks are published in near-real time on the Big River Watch Data Dashboard
- Nearly 18,000 people have now taken part in the Big River Watch, with more than 7,000 saying they’re new to citizen science.
- Community-led environmental monitoring is an important part of understanding river health.
The Big River Watch is back! From 19th – 25th September, the South East Rivers Trust is inviting people across the region to join the only UK and Ireland-wide citizen science survey of river health, which has attracted nearly 18,000 participants since 2023.
Anyone can join the Big River Watch by downloading the free, easy-to-use app and spending 15 minutes by their local river answering the simple survey questions. The results will be made available on an interactive dashboard and will help drive action to improve rivers both on-the-ground and via campaigns and political advocacy.
We want to build a complete picture of river health, and topics covered include the plants and wildlife people can see, as well as visible signs of pollution or observations on flow levels.
England is home to some of the world’s most precious rivers – with 85% of the remaining 200 chalk streams found right here. These rare and fragile habitats support a wealth of wildlife, from iconic kingfishers and endangered European eels to water voles and delicate caddisfly. Through our river restoration projects, we are already seeing
these species return to healthier habitats, but much more needs to be done. The Big River Watch gives local people the chance to play a vital role in safeguarding these globally significant rivers and the wildlife that depend on them.
Dr. Bella Davies, CEO of the South East Rivers Trust, said:
“Rivers are under increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, and other human impacts threatening both waterways and the wildlife that rely on them. In response, more people want to step up to protect the rivers they care about. The Big River Watch makes it easy for everyone to do just that; by tracking the health of local waterways, your survey can help provide vital data that drives real change. Every observation matters, strengthening our understanding, connecting communities with nature, and making a lasting impact.”
Graeme Thomas, Team GB Rower and Olympian, spoke in support of the campaign:
“The UK’s rivers and lakes have provided me with a wonderful office for the last 15 years as a rower. It’s always a joy to see wildlife in and around the river, but I have always felt there could be more. Given half the chance, our waterways could truly be teeming with life everywhere. However, this is not the case for rivers across the UK and Ireland making monitoring our rivers more important than ever.
“Cleaning untreated sewage, road tar and who knows what else off my boat isn’t caused only by the occasional high rainfall event in winter, but something that poses a threat to rivers all year round. By spending just 15 minutes surveying your local river, the data collected from the Big River Watch will help pinpoint issues like these and will paint a picture of the scale of the problem. It is a fantastic citizen science opportunity to gather as much data as possible to help restore and protect our rivers for the future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- Further information, downloadable digital and printable assets can be found in the Big River Watch Comms Pack
- Results and insights from the last Big River Watch can be found here.
Background information
The South East Rivers Trust is an environmental charity bringing rivers and their catchments back to life. Working in 12 river catchments across the South East, the Trust connects communities and mobilises citizen scientists to educate and engage people on the importance of rivers and supports and challenges stakeholders, businesses and individuals to protect them. The Trust uses data and evidence to target positive action and works with nature to make rivers healthy again. This includes tackling water pollution, addressing water scarcity, reconnecting rivers and restoring habitats.
The Big River Watch has been developed by The Rivers Trust and other partner organisations within CaSTCo (a project creating a national framework for improving river health data, with citizen scientists at the heart). Big River Watch is an important tool to support CaSTCo in introducing new and diverse audiences to river science and to encourage accessible engagement and diverse recruitment of volunteers.
The Rivers Trust is the umbrella body for the Rivers Trust network, providing support with fundraising, advocacy and knowledge-sharing. Through our network of over 60 local Trusts in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and with over 500 dedicated specialists including over 60 farm advisers giving confidential expert advice, we work in partnership at a catchment scale to make our shared vision of wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all a reality.
For more information, contact:
Sara Marshall
Digital Marketing & Communications Manager
Sara.marshall@southeastriverstrust.org
For interview requests or other enquiries with The Rivers Trust umbrella body, please contact our communications team on press@theriverstrust.org.
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Dr. Bella Davies, CEO of the South East Rivers Trust, said:
“Rivers are under increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, and other human impacts threatening both waterways and the wildlife that rely on them. In response, more people want to step up to protect the rivers they care about. The Big River Watch makes it easy for everyone to do just that; by tracking the health of local waterways, your survey can help provide vital data that drives real change. Every observation matters, strengthening our understanding, connecting communities with nature, and making a lasting impact.” -
Big River Watch, South East Rivers Trust, citizen science, river health, chalk streams, water voles, European eels,
kingfishers, caddisfly, river restoration, pollution, climate change, river wildlife, community-led monitoring, biodiversity, data dashboard, river protection, UK rivers,
wildlife conservation, environmental action, - Environment & Sustainability
- 2025-09-15
