Riversearch

The H2O: Source2Sea project is seeking volunteers to take part in a new RiverSearch Citizen Science project within the Stour catchment. 

The H2O: Source2Sea project is working with the local community, landowners and businesses to restore ecosystem function in the River Stour catchment to reduce some of the impacts of climate change on our community and for wildlife. 

We are asking volunteers to monitor and collect invaluable information about river health by adopting a stretch of river and collecting data on water quality, habitat conditions and pollution sources. 

Rivers are incredibly diverse habitats which support a wide range of wildlife. The data collected by RiverSearchers will allow us to assess the health of the river and identify the best way to manage it for the future.

We need RiverSearchers to monitor various aspects of the health of our freshwater habitats. You will select a monitoring point, or 500m stretch of waterway, which will be your section to monitor throughout the project. The three aspects of health that will be monitored are:

• Water quality - We will provide you with water quality testing kits which will be done on a monthly basis.
• Habitat condition - Assessment of habitat quality once a year.
• Pollution - Any ad hoc pollution you see whilst out on your surveys.

No prior knowledge of river ecology is needed to become a RiverSearcher. 

For information about becoming a RiverSearcher, please contact [email protected]