Education and Awareness for Rivers

Overview

Healthy rivers depend on people who understand them, value them, and feel empowered to take action. Through our education and awareness work, we connect communities of all ages with rivers—bringing learning to life and building lasting relationships with the natural world. 

We create opportunities for people to experience rivers first-hand, understand the challenges they face, and discover how they can make a positive difference.  

Bringing rivers to life for young people

Our education programmes give young people meaningful, hands-on experiences with their local rivers—helping them build knowledge, confidence and a lifelong connection with nature. 

At the heart of this work is our flagship programme, Project Kingfisher, designed by teachers and linked to the national curriculum. Through interactive sessions, pupils explore rivers, wildlife and water in engaging and memorable ways.  

What this looks like in practice:

• Outdoor river sessions – exploring habitats, wildlife and river features first-hand 

• River dipping – discovering the creatures living beneath the surface 

• Interactive walks and assemblies – bringing river science and storytelling into schools 

• Curriculum-linked learning – supporting science and geography topics 

These experiences help children understand how rivers work, why they matter, and how their everyday actions can protect them.  

We also deliver programmes like Our River, Our Water, helping young people understand water scarcity, climate pressures and the importance of using water wisely.  

Learning through experience

We believe the best way to understand rivers is to experience them. 

Our sessions are designed to be: 

• Inclusive and accessible – engaging a wide range of learning styles

• Hands-on and interactive – inspiring curiosity and discovery

• Local and relevant – focused on rivers people know and care about

• Positive and empowering – showing how individual actions make a difference 

Research shows that connecting with nature supports wellbeing and learning, helping young people feel more motivated, confident and engaged.  

Offering a lifelong learning journey about our rivers

Education doesn’t stop at the classroom. We work with communities, volunteers and partners to raise awareness of river health and inspire action. 

This includes: 

• Community events and river-based activities 

• Volunteer opportunities that build skills and knowledge 

• Campaigns that highlight key issues such as pollution, water scarcity and habitat loss 

• Resources and guidance to help people take action for their local river 

By making rivers visible and relevant to everyday life, we help more people understand their importance—and the role they can play in protecting them. 

Turning knowledge into action

We support people to take simple, meaningful steps to protect rivers, including: 

• Reducing pollution at home and in their local area 

• Using water more carefully 

• Taking part in citizen science and monitoring 

• Volunteering to restore and protect rivers 

Our education and awareness work is designed to empower people with the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to act—helping to create a future where rivers are valued and protected by everyone. 

Why it matters

When people feel connected to rivers, they care about what happens to them. 

By inspiring that connection early—and strengthening it across communities—we are helping to build a future where: 

• Rivers are understood and valued 

• Communities are actively involved in their care 

• Positive action becomes part of everyday life 

Because when people and rivers thrive together, lasting change becomes possible.