Our mission

Who are we?

We’re a Norfolk-based charity on a mission to restore, protect and enhance our precious rivers and wetlands.

From Norfolk’s rare chalk streams, fed by underground springs, to the winding rivers and marshes that bring life to our landscapes, these special places are at the heart of everything we do.

Since 2011, our hands-on projects have been focused on improving river health, creating better wildlife habitat, boosting biodiversity, and making our waterways and landscapes more resilient to a changing climate. Healthy rivers don’t just look beautiful; they provide clean water, reduce the impacts of floods and droughts, and support local food production.

By caring for these habitats, we’re working to create a healthier, more hopeful future - for Norfolk’s wildlife, its communities, and everyone who relies on these living waterways.

Our work is focused on 6 core areas

Rivers & wetlands
Species conservation
Education & engagement
Farm & land management
Data & evidence
Research & innovation

Everything we do is guided by science and evidence. We take a holistic approach, which means we consider how all parts of the natural world are connected. This is reflected in our six core work areas.

We provide innovative advice and use natural solutions to restore the landscapes that support our rivers. This includes improving soil health, creating wetlands, ponds and scrapes, and reconnecting rivers with their floodplains.

We are a member of The Rivers Trust movement, comprising 65 member Rivers Trusts across Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Impact in partnership

We believe that lasting change happens when we work together. That's why we form strong partnerships with a wide range of groups, from farmers and landowners to local communities, government bodies, research institutions and businesses.

By working side-by-side with partners, we build local and sustainable solutions to revitalise our freshwater habitats.

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Seeing the bigger picture

Restoring rivers requires a strategic, coordinated approach that considers the surrounding landscape, or ‘river catchment'. This is the entire area of land where water collects and flows into a single river, including the surface water we see, and the vital, unseen groundwater that feeds our springs and sustains river flow during dry periods.

That’s why we adopt a Catchment Based Approach (CaBA), collaborating closely with stakeholders across the catchments. By developing a shared vision and plan, we can align funding and actions to benefit the environment, businesses and local communities.

We host the North Norfolk, North-West Norfolk and Wensum catchment partnerships, and are active members of the Broadland and Cam and Ely Ouse (CamEO) catchment partnerships.

Our funders

Our work is supported through donations, collaborative projects, business partnerships and competitive grants - all vital to improving Norfolk’s river health and building climate resilience.

Our vision

Connect, engage and educate

We connect people with rivers and wetlands, helping communities and stakeholders understand the vital role they play in our lives. Through education and engagement, we inspire people to value, protect and restore these essential freshwater environments.

Improve freshwater environments

We deliver on-ground projects that restore habitats, boost biodiversity and strengthen natural flood management. Our work supports climate resilience and secures sustainable freshwater supply for people and wildlife.

Land management and farm advice

We support farmers and land managers in adopting water-sensitive farming measures that benefit soil health, water quality and quantity, biodiversity and build business resilience.

Species conservation

We safeguard and enhance native species through reintroductions, breeding and release programmes and habitat improvement work, ensuring our rives and wetlands remain alive with thriving wildlife.

Data and evidence

We collect, analyse and share high-quality data to drive evidence-based decisions, improve project outcomes, and provide accessible insights that enable landscape-scale improvements.

Driving innovation and collaboration

We lead innovation in nature-based solutions, fostering collaboration across research, development and practice to create lasting benefits for our freshwater ecosystems.

Donate today

Help secure a future for our rivers

Your donations are vital in helping us restore and protect Norfolk’s beautiful waterways – before it’s too late. Together, we can make a lasting impact, benefitting both people and wildlife.
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