RiverCare is a great opportunity for community groups to get directly involved in improving their local river environment.
Operated with our partner Keep Britain Tidy, and with the full support of the Environment Agency, RiverCare enables groups to tackle litter, carry out species surveys and habitat improvements in a safe, appropriate and rewarding way.
The RiverCare project has a dedicated website at www.RiverCare.org.uk which has full details of how to get involved, what projects you could carry out and lots of news from the RiverCare groups across the region.
During 2008, 41 different RiverCare groups held 193 events, collected more than 8,000 sacks of litter in total. They also raised awareness of locally important species (such as the white-clawed crayfish and the water vole), removed graffiti, carried out wildlife surveys, reclaimed riverbanks from anti-social behaviour and removed invasive plant species.
To get a group started, we provide:
- Advice from Keep Britain Tidy's specialists.
- A starter kit of equipment which contains gloves, litter pickers, first aid kit, throwline and sharps box.
- Free insurance cover for most types of community groups.
- Contact with experts for further advice and help.
- Help finding funding opportunities for further work or equipment.
Your group could be neighbours, a sports club, work colleagues or a youth group, to give just a few examples. People of all ages can get involved. If you have an idea for a RiverCare project that you would like to do visit the Rivercare website to find out more.