Science and Citizen Engagement

Overview

Good evidence helps us understand the pressures facing rivers and identify where action can make the greatest difference. We carry out scientific monitoring while giving people the skills and opportunities to investigate the health of their local waterways.

Through water quality testing, volunteer monitoring and citizen science campaigns such as the Big River Watch, people can collect valuable evidence, track change and contribute to the protection and restoration of rivers across the South East.

Why science and citizen engagement matter

Only 14% of rivers in England are in good ecological health. Pollution, habitat loss, barriers to fish movement and climate change are putting increasing pressure on river ecosystems, wildlife and communities.

Unhealthy rivers can lead to poorer water quality, greater flood and drought risk, and the loss of important freshwater habitats. Declines in riverflies such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies also affect the fish, birds and other wildlife that depend on them.

Scientific monitoring and citizen science help us:

• Track changes in river health
• Identify pollution and other pressures
• Build evidence for river restoration and investment
• Empower communities to protect their local rivers

By combining scientific data with local knowledge, we can understand where action is needed and support more effective, evidence-led river restoration.

Citizen science in action

We support and deliver a range of citizen science initiatives that help people explore, understand and protect their local rivers. 

Riverfly monitoring

Volunteers take part in the Riverfly Partnership’s Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI), sampling aquatic invertebrates such as mayflies and caddisflies. 

These species are sensitive to pollution, making them powerful indicators of river health. Regular monitoring helps to identify sudden changes, enabling rapid investigation and response. 

Water quality testing

We work with communities, schools and partners to monitor water quality, collecting data on key indicators such as nutrients, dissolved oxygen, temperature and conductivity—helping to identify the presence of pollution. 

Using simple, repeatable methods, citizen scientists can build a clear picture of how water quality changes along a river. This allows us to spot patterns, identify potential pollution hotspots, and target further investigation where it’s needed most. 

Alongside this, trained volunteers and partners use more advanced monitoring techniques to track long-term trends and generate robust evidence that supports action. 

This data helps us to: 

• Understand how water quality is changing over time  

• Identify key sources of pollution  

• Target restoration and improvement work  

• Provide evidence to regulators and decision-makers  

By combining local monitoring with scientific analysis, we can take informed, targeted action to improve river health. 

Building skills, confidence and connection

Citizen science is about more than data. It’s about people. 

Through training, events and hands-on activities, we help individuals and communities: 

• Learn new skills and build confidence 

• Connect with their local environment 

• Take ownership of river health 

• Become advocates for positive change 

From families discovering river life for the first time to trained volunteers leading monitoring efforts, every contribution matters.