Get involved
If you love your local chalk stream then why not help look after it?
Local Action Groups
If you want to get involved directly, you could register as a volunteer with your local river association. Help is needed with all sorts of tasks from conservation volunteering, running events and helping with lobbying work.
Citizen Science
Citizen scientists are contributing to our knowledge and monitoring changes that are taking place. Opportunities include riverfly (invertebrate) monitoring, water vole surveys, mapping sediment sources which pollute the river and carrying out pre and post river restoration assessments.
You don’t need any particular experience or qualifications to become a citizen scientist, just an interest in your local river. Full training is given and you will be supported by staff or members of local groups. Please visit the citizen science page or contact us if you would like to find out more.
Report Problems
Report leaks to your local water company – contact Affinity Water or Thames Water (0800 316 9800). We would prefer to see the water in the rivers than running down the road!
If you see evidence of pollution in a river, fish in distress or other risks to river wildlife, call the Environment Agency Emergency Hotline on 0800 80 70 60. (Please only use this number to report emergencies, for general enquiries to the Agency, call 03708 506 506 during office hours.)
Spread the word
Please help us spread the word that chalk streams are precious, under threat and in need of much greater protection. Post pictures on social media showing old photos of how the river used to look, how you enjoy the river now, and problems when you spot (tag us @Chilternstreams). Tell your local MP that you care about the state of your river and ask for better protection and regulation.
Our Partners
A number of our partners run volunteering activities on Chilterns chalk streams. Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust work on the River Ver, the Chiltern Society run practical activities on the Chess, Misbourne and Ewelme Brook (and occasionally elsewhere) and Chiltern Rangers work regularly on the River Wye and Hughenden Stream.
The Chiltern Society Rivers & Wetlands Group supports our work by campaiging for chalk streams across the Chilterns National Landscape.