Groundwork’s Healthy Rivers programme supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Blue Spaces fund

We are delighted to be developing our Healthy Rivers programme with support from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Blue Spaces programme.

‘Healthy Rivers’ promotes the conservation and restoration of local rivers. We do this by engaging and training local community volunteers to deliver river conservation and citizen science activities.

Blue Spaces funding is allowing us to develop this partnership approach across the South East valleys. This is helping us to improve eco-resilience on the Rivers including the Ebbw, Sirhowy, Rhymney, Taff and Ely. 

Through the programme, volunteers have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities supporting the health of their local rivers. This includes:

• Litter picking
• Removal of invasive species from river corridors and footpaths such as Himalayan balsam and knotweed
• Planting of native trees along river corridors to mitigate against soil erosion
• Removal of re-cyclable waste and scrap metals from the river bed and corridor. 

We support volunteers to equip themselves with a range of skills through training in water safety, conservation skills, Citizen Science and safe treatment of invasive species.  

Working in collaboration with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s Education team, we deliver curriculum-linked workshops in local schools. These raise awareness of river conservation and encourage connection with the local river and behaviour that supports eco-resilience.

I really enjoy litter picking, it’s sad that it’s necessary, but I feel like I am making a difference and doing my bit while getting to meet likeminded people.

Community Volunteer, River Sirhowy Clean Up, Blackwood