All current and potential river monitors are invited to an evening that will begin our conversation about developing a monitoring strategy for the Brit Catchment (and beyond) that ensures our efforts lead to positive action. It’s also a chance to support/applaud those already taking part.

Simon Browning will talk about the National Rivers Trust CaSTCo project, the Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative. Simon has spent over 25 years working in and around rivers, spending much of that time with the Environment Agency, working in monitoring R&D and then Westcountry Rivers Trust as Monitoring Technical Lead.

At Westcountry Rivers Trust, Simon led the creation of the Westcountry CSI volunteer monitoring scheme. In 2022 Simon started working for The Rivers Trust – the national umbrella body for the Rivers Trust movement – as Technical Lead on the CaSTCo project, which aims to increase the impact of volunteer monitoring data by providing a list of approved methods and standardised approaches.

Vicky Whitworth will be sharing her group’s experiences of delivery on the Kit Brook. Vicky is chair of Chardstock Eco Group and a member of the Kit Brook River Restoration team.

Vicky reflects that her background as an HR director singularly ill-prepared her for river restoration work and even a drag-back to Geography A level hasn’t done much to help. But rivers are her ‘thing’, ticking so many boxes: outdoors, playing with water, surrounded by nature, rapid learning, and a realisation that ordinary folk can make a difference if momentum is created and energy harnessed. And Vicky’s stint at The Body Shop under Anita Roddick’s stewardship is now paying dividends in community engagement and campaigning.

We would urge anyone interested in the wildlife and water quality of our nearby rivers to attend.

For those who would like to get more involved, we will also run a short session at the end on the CSI scheme, where we can help sign you up and identify a suitable site.