River Guardians of the Avon 

This document outlines the suggested models, structures and actions for River Guardian groups along the Avon. This is part of the wider We Are Avon grassroots movement aiming to restore our watershed landscape and clean our rivers to good ecological status by 2030.

Community groups, existing and new, are ‘adopting’ a section of the river, to build a regional watershed movement for regeneration. With Guardian Groups along the whole river Avon and throughout its watershed, we will strengthen all our relationships to place that are essential for the flourishing of these ecosystems, water cycles and human communities. 

What is a River Guardian group?

Any community group of 2 or more people who pledge to protect and regenerate a part of the river Avon or its tributaries, sources & springs. The groups will be self-organising and community led, so the exact aims, actions and methods of organising will be decided by each group, but will broadly align with the We Are Avon aims and principles to receive support from the wider WAA and river guardian community. 

River Guardian groups could, for example: 

o   Test and monitor water quality on their section of the river. Kits & training can be provided for the first 12 river guardian groups to sign up this year. feed results into a regional database to  inform targeted action plans. 

o   Simply creating a community relationship with the river, holding gatherings/meetings/swims/celebrations/walks by the river 

o   Lobby local councils and water companies for improvement, and their adoption of and investment in the River Avon Charter

o   Engage local communities and stakeholders through river action days e.g. litter picks, restoration projects, habitat surveys, Big River Watch survey 

o   Collaborate with wider We Are Avon sub-groups & other projects in the Avon catchment 

o   Create local flood resilience plans and long term nature-based solutions e.g. riparian buffers 

o   Engage with landowners and farmers to support them in transition to river friendly practices and encouraging them to join the Avon farm cluster 

o   Join part of the annual Avon Pilgrimage from source to sea 

o   Advocate for your river and be a voice for nature ; share your river stories and experiences 

How to get involved?

If you would like to get involved, start or join a river Guardian group, please complete this short form:

River Guardian groups each have a Whatsapp group that forms part of the wider We Are Avon community, with 1 or 2 representatives from each group feeding into the movement for protection and regeneration of our entire watershed. 

This representative will be responsible for communicating with our Guardians coordinator Meg Avon (contact on riveravon2025@gmail.com, 07842596942 ) .