Riparian zones, explained
Freshwater ecosystems play such an essential role in nature that their importance surpasses aquatic systems themselves, spilling into buffer zones where water meets land and…
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Glassmill Pond and River Ravensbourne improvement project completed
Waterways for fish and other wildlife have been improved as part of a project to separate Glassmill Pond and the River Ravensbourne in Bromley. We…
2023 round-up: Working together to improve rivers for all
2023 has been a challenging, busy, and extremely rewarding year for Thames21. As we continue our mission to protect and enhance our waterways while connecting…
Estuaries, explained
Among some of the most productive and delicate ecosystems in the world, estuaries are of great importance to people and wildlife. Many of the largest…
Wolvercote Mill Stream designated as poor for third year running, but improvements on the way
Wolvercote Mill Stream at Port Meadow, one of only two “designated bathing status” rivers in the UK, has been rated “Poor” and advice against swimming…
Understanding the names of some of England’s most iconic rivers
Besides the River Thames, London’s most iconic river, there are many other waterways, big and small, that cut through England and form important blue corridors….
Rivers ‘should be’ a key focus at COP28
Policymakers across the world must not forget to focus on water and rivers at COP28, environmental charity Thames21 has urged. The climate emergency has increased…
Bacteria levels above safety limits at the proposed bathing water site in Wallingford
As part of Thames21’s bathing water application for Wallingford, trained citizen scientists undertook a water quality monitoring programme that involved 20 weeks of sampling, assessing…
River users in Henley-on-Thames exposed to harmful levels of bacteria
Environmental charity Thames21’s Reclaim Our Rivers* project has highlighted concentrations of harmful bacteria up to six times above the recommended standards for safe bathing in…
Floodplains, explained
Rivers are extremely complex and important ecosystems. They provide countless services to people and have been at the centre of civilisations for millennia. River systems…