Celebrating World Rivers Day 2026
To mark World Rivers Day 2026, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the incredible efforts of communities across Devon who are stepping up to protect, restore and champion their local waterways. From citizen science and habitat restoration to natural flood management and community-led monitoring, volunteers are making a real difference to the health of our rivers.
Here’s a look at some of the inspiring work that’s been taking place across the county in recent months.
It’s been a watery few months in Devon
There’s been a lot of action in Devon’s waterways by community groups in recent months. Communities are standing up for their rivers and gathering forces as new groups are forming and joining in the fight for clean water and healthy ecosystems.
East Devon River Groups
CAG Devon’s citizen science river groups have continued to make a remarkable difference across East Devon’s river catchments. Volunteers from ORCA and the Otter Valley Association have been carrying out regular E. coli monitoring throughout the summer, providing valuable water quality data that helps protect swimmers, local residents and holidaymakers using our rivers and coast.
Friends of the River Axe have been delivering inspiring natural flood management projects, working with farmers to restore wetlands, install leaky dams and hinge trees to mimic the positive effects of beavers, slowing water flow, increasing water retention on the land and helping to reduce flooding downstream.
The River Sid Catchment Group has been improving river connectivity by removing barriers that prevent fish from moving freely upstream to feed and spawn, while also undertaking a wide range of habitat improvement and river restoration activities.
Alongside this, the Otter Valley Association continues its fantastic work engaging communities, monitoring river health, restoring habitats and championing the protection of the Otter catchment. Together, these dedicated volunteer groups are generating vital environmental data, restoring nature, improving water quality and helping to build healthier, more resilient rivers for both wildlife and local communities.
West Devon Newbies
Sustainable Hatherleigh had their first of two water quality awareness training sessions on 13th September. As part of the Together for Tomorrow project, Blackdown Hills Eco Hub delivered a training session about the importance of good soil health and all the activities and actions a community can take to promote good water quality and prevent flooding and drought. They were joined by Darren Searle from North Devon Biosphere, who is promoting a joined-up approach to water testing as part of their Healthy Rivers project. They’re calling for all groups interested in water quality to get in touch.
On 3rd October, Sustainable Hatherleigh will have another session with Carolyn and Vicky, but this time they’ll be in the river doing some testing with various equipment before going back to discuss next steps as a new rivers group for the River Lew. Residents and community group members from surrounding villages, as well as Sustainable Chulmleigh and Plastic Free Okehampton also popped along to see how they can all work together.
If you prefer dry feet
You don’t have to get into the water to make a difference. Litter plays a big role in the quality of water as chemicals run off the litter and pollute waterways. Arranging a community litterpick is a great way to improve your local environment and your local streams, rivers and coastlines. Plastic Free Exmouth and Plastic Free Budleigh Salterton run regular beach cleans that everyone is invited to.
If you’d like to organise your own litterpick, don’t forget that you can borrow the equipment for free from Recycle Devon, and they have some amazing resources on their website to help you get started. CAG Devon have got you covered too with our litterpick risk assessment template – it couldn’t be easier!
