I hope you will have seen that the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) of which the Friends is, of course, a member has just published a Report, ‘Rivers at Risk’, on the state of rivers in the National Parks. Its findings make sobering reading, but sadly will not come as a surprise to anyone. You can read the report here.
The picture that emerges is depressing. There are though pockets of hope. The South Downs National Park Authority has just published its own report, ‘Water in the Park’. South Downs National Park strengthens commitment to water as new report is published – South Downs National Park Authority .
The various river trusts operating within the Park are doing great work.
The CNP report under the heading ‘Citizen Science at the Forefront of River Health’ highlighted the contribution being made by ‘local communities and passionate campaigners in filling the gap left by environmental regulators in England and Wales’. This is where the Friends and you can make a valuable contribution; we by helping to fund the citizen science project being run by the Western Sussex River Trust and you by volunteering some of your time as citizen scientists.
David Green
Chair
October 2025
