About us

Friends of the River Axe (FORA) are the ‘people of the place and the voice of the river’. We bring together numerous river-related community groups, businesses, organisations and ordinary citizens to make a difference within the Axe Catchment (spanning East Devon, South Somerset and West Dorset). Our emphasis is less on talk and more on action – and at pace.

The River Axe is a very special river. The river is renowned for her meanders, the disconcerting mouthless river lamprey, and startlingly bright, green water weeds.  The Axe has some of the highest environmental protections, and yet it is officially classified by Natural England as in an unfavourable condition and declining.

The Axe Rivers’ problems range from pollution from agricultural chemicals and human sewage, over-siltation, erosion of the riverbanks and river bed, land and road run-off, loss of riparian habitat, and invasive species to name but a few.  The rivers tend to be flashy and flooding is not uncommon – and of course climate change is making flooding more severe and more common. Seeing the Axe flood plain when the river is in spate is something to behold.

FORA is involved with: water quality monitoring – Riverfly freshwater invertebrate surveying –  riparian mammal surveys – public engagement events and talks – working with younger people including Duke of Edinburgh students – river restoration – natural flood management including leaky dams – informing the public about what individuals can do to make the river better –  building relationships between the farming and non-farming communities – campaigning – lobbying, and generally pushing and shoving authorities to get things done.

We love helping others so if you are worried about your river and want to make things better please get in touch, and we’ll happily share our experiences. friendsoftheriveraxe@gmail.com