Our mission

Who are we?

We’re a Norfolk-based charity on a mission to create a future where Norfolk's rivers and wetlands are healthy, resilient to climate change, and support both people and wildlife.

From Norfolk’s rare chalk streams, fed by underground springs, to the winding rivers, marshes and wetlands that shape 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, restoring 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, support local food production and create thriving spaces for communities and nature. By caring for these habitats, we’re working to build a healthier, more hopeful future for Norfolk’s wildlife, its people, and everyone who relies on these living waterways.

Read our strategy to 2030

Our work focuses on:

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.

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 learn

We connect people with rivers and wetlands, supporting communities and stakeholders to understand their importance and the impact our actions can have. With this understanding, we inspire people to value, protect and restore these vital freshwater habitats.

Improve freshwater environments

We deliver on-ground projects that apply nature-based solutions to restore rivers and wetlands and boost biodiversity. Our work improves flood and drought resilience and supports freshwater recharge for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Land management and farm advice

Through supply chain engagement and trusted advice, we help farmers and land managers adopt water-sensitive farming measures that benefit soil health, protect water quality and quantity, enhance biodiversity and build long-term business resilience.

Species conservation

We safeguard and enhance priority 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 inform evidence-based decisions and guide targeted interventions that strengthen project outcomes and clearly demonstrate impact.

Driving innovation and collaboration

We build effective partnerships that increase our scale, influence and impact in river recovery. Coordinated action across catchments ensures interventions are connected and capable of achieving 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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