On 7th September 2024, community groups and action takers came together to present three events across the county.

In Hereford, the Hereford City branch of the Trust led a colourful procession through the city, following the Goddess of the Wye. They gathered at the entrance to a neglected site on the Link Road, opposite the medical centre, once the site of the Essex Arms.

There is huge local support to turn this unloved site into a wetland nature reserve, a haven for wildlife and people, which would also form a green link between the station and city centre.

We hope this event showcased local support for the plans and the Trust will continue to discuss the possibilities with Herefordshire Council, who own the site.

Starting from the village of Wellington, Holly Thompson, Programme Officer with the Wye Adapt to Climate Change Project, led an informative walk along the Wellington Brook.

Participants discussed flooding and the actions communities can take to be better prepared. We visited water attenuation ponds and talked about other natural flood management options. We also discussed river health monitoring and the Riverfly Partnership's Monitoring Initiative. It was a great event to highlight the work that the Wellington Wildlife Group are already undertaking, and to inspire other individuals and communities to take action also.

In Ross-on Wye, Holly Williams, Programme Officer for the Wye Adapt to Climate Change project was joined by over 20 people to learn more about testing water for pollution - and recruited some new citizen scientists!

Many thanks to everyone who joined us for the events which were a great success - highlighting issues, positive actions and inspiring more people to get involved in the future of Herefordshire's rivers and wetlands!

Events were led and supported by members of the Nature Action Network including: Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Wye Valley National Landscape; Friends of the Wye; Healthwatch Herefordshire; Hereford City Branch and many others!

The events were timed to coincide with the Big River Watch which is a great way for people to take positive action for their local stream or river.

For more ideas on how you can make a difference see our River Action Toolkit

If you, or your local community group is taking action for rivers, we'd love to hear from you! You can message us  via social media, email enquiries@herefordshirewt.co.uk or simply add your group to our online map!