BEING A RIVER GUARDIAN
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Rivers are living ecosystems that hold cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance. To protect and restore them, individuals can take on the role of a "Guardian" — someone who actively cares for a river, ensuring its vitality and rights. This report outlines the key steps involved in becoming a Guardian of a river.
1. Developing a Personal Connection with the River
2. Defining the River’s Rights
3. Observing and Identifying the River’s Needs
4. Taking Direct Action
5. Acting with Fearlessness and Imagination
Becoming a Guardian is not a passive or regulated role—it is an active, intuitive, and loving commitment to a river’s life and rights. Through connection, observation, vision, and fearless action, anyone can contribute meaningfully to the health and future of their local waterways.
So What's Next?
Core Responsibilities of River Guardians
1. Monitor and Map Your Patch
Guardians will adopt a section of the river or a tributary and take responsibility for regularly observing and reporting on what’s happening. This includes:
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Identifying pollution sources (e.g. outfalls, misconnections, agricultural runoff)
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Spotting invasive species and flagging areas of concern
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Logging changes in the river’s health – both positive and negative
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Mapping visible outflows – including those Thames Water may not have formally recorded
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Reporting pollution incidents
2. Be the Eyes and Voice for the River
River Guardians act as local ambassadors and advocates. Their role is to:
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Speak up for their stretch of river in their community and with local decision-makers
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Share real-world observations to support campaign efforts (social media etc.)
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Celebrate local successes and highlight ongoing issues
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Hold local stakeholders accountable
3. Contribute to a Collective Picture
Guardians will help build a clearer picture of river health across the entire Thames catchment, from source to sea, by:
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Submitting testing reports, photos, and data to a shared/open access platform
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Taking part in training sessions and organising community events
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Supporting evidence-gathering and citizen science in the area and use the data to drive wider campaign efforts along the Thames
4. Take Part in Outreach and Awareness
To raise awareness and mobilise public opinion:
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Produce/share social media content
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Engage with local media (local newspapers, radio stations etc.)
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Collaborate and engage in local events and other groups to raise profile of the river