Thames21

21/08/2026

Citizen science is crucial for environmental protection. 🌊

👨‍🔬Citizen science brings together everyday people to gather data and information to support research. This work is vital for expanding our knowledge of local rivers and creating lasting, positive change for ecosystems and communities.

🔎Anyone can get involved, all you need is curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty! Tasks are varied and hands-on, including:

🔬 Water quality testing
🐛 Monitoring river invertebrates
🚮 Surveying plastic litter

Some of those activities require training, which is free – and fun, we promise! 😉

➡️Fancy joining us and becoming a Thames21 citizen scientist? Find out more about upcoming opportunities in our website or get in touch at [email protected]

20/08/2026

A shocking new report from environmental charities Thames21 and the River Roding Trust estimates that hundreds of millions of litres of sewage-contaminated water flow into the River Roding and its tributaries every year. The citizen science-based study used a new ‘first-of-its-kind’ targeted monitoring approach to identify the biggest sources of sewage pollution in the Lower Roding.

In fact, it found that around 600 million litres of sewage-contaminated water are estimated to enter the River Roding and its tributaries every year via unpermitted and previously unmonitored outfalls.

The study used an innovative targeted monitoring approach to identify the biggest sources of sewage pollution in the Lower Roding. More than 70 outfalls across the Lower Roding and its tributaries were monitored over six months using citizen science water quality methods. By combining these methods with measurements of flow, researchers were able to create a “league table” of the most polluting outfalls.

The River Roding rises in rural Essex before flowing through East London and joining the River Thames at Barking Creek. Its Lower Roding catchment stretches from Chigwell to Barking, encompassing the river and its tributaries and supporting the communities, wildlife and habitats along its banks.

A major source of pollution identified in the report is sewer misconnections, when wastewater pipes from toilets, sinks or washing machines are accidentally connected to surface water drains. Instead of being sent to a treatment plant, contaminated water can flow directly into the river.

To tackle this growing crisis, Thames21 and the River Roding Trust are calling on Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Redbridge Council to urgently accelerate investigations, trace pollution sources and ensure effective solutions are put in place across the catchment.

The River Roding deserves better, just as all of our rivers do.

Read the full story here: https://www.thames21.org.uk/2026/08/first-of-its-kind-citizen-science-study-estimates-600-million-litres-of-sewage-contaminated-water-enter-lower-river-roding-each-year

Paul Powlesland

19/08/2026

We had a great time by the Thames today. 🌊

A group of 5 volunteers joined our River Litter Detectives event at historical Queenhithe. They helped us collect and categorise plastic litter on the foreshore and also did a general clean-up in the area.🚮

Food and drink packaging took the spot for worst offender, with polystyrene scattered across the site.🥡

However, we also had some great findings! We uncovered some interesting pieces along the way, including clay pipe stems, animal bones, ancient pottery, and even a few modern toys. 🦴🏺

We want to say a huge thank you to our lovely volunteers who took the time to come along today! Want to join the next one? Check our calendar for upcoming events, we’d love to see you there! 💙

17/08/2026

📍Are you part of the Isle of Dogs community?

🚮We still have a few spots left for our river clean-up at Newcastle Draw Dock on 30th August!

🌊Join us for a fun morning on the foreshore — enjoy the riverside views, explore the beach, and connect with the community.

🍪🧃We’ll provide all the equipment and light refreshments to keep you energised.

🔗 Register here: https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/4B5lztLK2O4xzHZbQ73w

We hope to see you there! 😎

14/08/2026

🌅Discover the colours, sounds, and wildlife of Watling and Silk Stream Parks at dusk!

➡️Join Action for Silk Stream for a relaxing evening walk on 26th August.

🦇🐸It’s a great opportunity to spot local wildlife and learn about their habits, we might even see and hear bats flying overhead! We’ll provide bat detectors and illuminated botanical magnifiers to help you explore.

🔗Everyone is welcome! Please register here: https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/JbC224NLXc9yU8iix74K

13/08/2026

💧Learn more and gather data on plastic pollution in the Thames with us!

🗓️Join us on the 19th August at the historic Queenhithe site in the City of London for a hands-on citizen science session.

🔎🚮We’ll be carrying out a litter survey on the foreshore to collect and categorise plastic litter, helping us identify the categories that pose the biggest problem.

🥾Please make sure you have suitable footwear (wellies or boots).

🔗Register here: https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/daoQGu8IVRurMy15LI8k

12/08/2026

We always love teaming up with Michelle Yaa Asantewa , organiser of the Annual Osun River Ritual. Every year, as part of London Rivers Week, Thames21 works with Michelle to pay tribute to the river goddess Mama Osun, alongside running a separate clean-up of the Thames foreshore.

We’re delighted to be featured in a special exhibition Michelle is curating to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Annual Osun River Ritual at Morden Hall Park. Some of the highlights include photographs showcasing the fantastic work our volunteers have done through our river clean-ups, celebrating the people and communities coming together to care for our local rivers.

It was also fantastic to be invited to the 10th anniversary of the Annual Osun River Ritual by the River Wandle over the weekend.

In South London later today? Why not pop by Morden Hall Park, explore the exhibition, and then take a stroll along the River Wandle afterwards?

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

📣We still have a few spaces left in our next Urban Riverfly training session!

🗓️Join us on the 18th August in Ealing to learn how to identify key pollution-sensitive invertebrates that are a river’s natural health indicators. 🦐

🤝It’s a great chance to get involved in citizen science, connect with your community, and make a positive contribution to the environment.

💙Everyone is welcome, no prior experience needed!

🔗Register and learn more here: https://ow.ly/IKRX50Zyyr3

11/08/2026

A little look back at a wonderful morning at Stanmore Little Common! 🌳💧

We’re still smiling after Friday’s Action for Silk Stream ‘Family Nature Walk & Pond Dipping’ session, and we wanted to say another huge thank you to all the fantastic families who joined us! ❤️

It was brilliant to see the children exploring the beautiful trails, discovering historic ponds and getting hands-on with nature through pond dipping and creative nature crafts. 🐟🌱🎨

Along the way, they learned more about freshwater habitats, the wildlife that depends on them, and the simple ways we can all play a part in protecting our natural spaces.

A special shout-out once again to Robert Stone from Harrow Nature Conservation Forum and Simon Braidman, Head Warden for Stanmore Common Local Nature Reserve, for sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the great outdoors. Your guidance helped make the morning truly memorable! 🙌

Thank you to everyone who came along and made the session such a success. It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying, learning about and connecting with nature together.

🌿 We can’t wait for our next outdoor adventure, we hope to see you there! ✨