The Riverfly Partnership’s year of impact: Extending community support for freshwaters with the Environment Agency
7 May, 2026
The Riverfly Partnership, hosted by the FBA, continues to empower communities to protect and restore rivers across the UK.
Over the past year (April 2025 – March 2026), the initiative, with support from the Environment Agency, has seen remarkable growth in both participation and impact, strengthening its nationwide network of volunteers, hubs, and tutors.
Expanding Riverfly training and volunteer engagement
Between April 2025 and March 2026, 1,011 new volunteers were trained in the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI), including 963 in standard RMI and 48 in Urban Riverfly. This represents a continued rise in community engagement and citizen science capacity.
A strong network of accredited tutors underpins this success. Twelve new tutors were accredited this year, helping to sustain and expand local monitoring capacity. Training events at hubs such as the Wear Rivers Trust, Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, and Cressbrook and Litton Fly Fishing Club have allowed these groups to deliver their own sessions for the first time.
Volunteer feedback reflects the enthusiasm and quality of Riverfly training – with 100% of participants saying they would recommend the course, and 98% feeling the time was well used. Comments praised the engaging and informative nature of the sessions, with one participant sharing:
“It has really inspired me to do my bit… collecting regular data will/could be the change that my Brook needs!”
Riverfly monitoring in action, with the iconic riverfly net and trusty sample spoon and tray used for counting specific invertebrate groups.
Growing the Riverfly network: new groups and hubs
The Riverfly Partnership HQ has also supported the formation of several new monitoring groups this year, including Roseland Environment Action Community Team (Cornwall), Clean Mersey, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Bullfinches, Heaths to Sea (Lower Otter Catchment), and Trent Rivers Trust Mease Riverfly volunteers.
From April 2025 to March 2026, 179 different groups uploaded surveys, up from 160 the previous year. This growth illustrates the increasing national coverage of citizen science monitoring and the resilience of local networks.
New Riverfly hubs are also developing. Discussions with Nene Rivers Trust in autumn 2025 have paved the way for a new regional hub, supported by Environment Agency staff. At the same time, the Riverfly team has provided vital support to areas such as Essex, where hub restructuring has temporarily left local groups without coordinators.
To help emerging groups, the Riverfly Kit Bursary, launched in December, has provided equipment to new community teams, easing barriers to participation. Groups benefitting so far include Laugharne Citizen Science Group, Countryside Education Trust (New Forest), River Clun Monitoring Group, and Avonvale River Action Group.
New Riverfly Partnership monitoring sites established April 2025 - March 2026
A map from the Riverfly database, Cartographer, shows new monitoring sites established across the UK between April 2025 and March 2026 – a powerful visual testament to a growing movement for healthier rivers.
Riverfly monitoring in spring 2026 (left), and getting up close up with some impressive Flat-Bodied Heptageniidae (right).
Valuing volunteer effort: £819,480 in-kind contributions
The Riverfly Partnership continues to demonstrate the immense value of citizen science. This year, the estimated in-kind contribution from Riverfly volunteers reached an impressive £819,480, up from £741,468 the previous year.
This figure is based on the time contributed by volunteers monitoring 1,921 active sites, each sampled at least six times per year, and by 172 dedicated coordinators. These volunteers are the backbone of the initiative, giving their time, expertise, and commitment to ensure that rivers receive the attention and stewardship they need.
“The Environment Agency has supported Riverfly for over 20 years, in that time it has established itself as the biggest citizen science programme in the country. The long-term data reported by the dedicated volunteers is an amazing resource for us and anyone interested in the health of our rivers. It also provides an early warning of potential problems for our local EA ecology officers to review and follow up. The money we invest is multiplied many times over by the efforts of the Riverfly surveyors and we greatly appreciate the efforts of the FBA who expertly co-ordinate this successful programme.”
Continued Environment Agency support for the Riverfly Partnership
The FBA is delighted to announce that, following this ongoing success, the Environment Agency (EA) has committed to a further three years of funding to support the Riverfly Partnership in England. This provides confidence in the programme and the methodology and will help the partnership to continue to grow and improve its output.
The Environment Agency’s support comes from income received from selling rod fishing licences. The FBA would like to extend our gratitude to all the anglers who are indirectly funding this nationwide project to support the health of our rivers.
“This renewed support from the Environment Agency ensures the Riverfly Partnership can build on the incredible performance of last year. The results from 2025 were remarkable, and this latest commitment from the EA means we can continue to improve our output, whilst our monitors can keep tracking the health of our rivers. From everyone at FBA, and on behalf of our rivers and the myriad freshwater invertebrates in them, a massive thank you to the EA.”
The Riverfly Partnership’s ongoing commitment to freshwater conservation
Together, these achievements demonstrate why the Riverfly Partnership remains such a vital force in freshwater conservation – building local knowledge, strengthening community networks, and delivering essential data that supports environmental action nationwide.
For more information on how to get involved with Riverfly monitoring or to find your local hub, please visit riverflies.org.
Thank you to all the amazing Riverfly Partnership donors and volunteers for your incredible support!
Fancy getting involved in Riverfly Monitoring?
The Riverfly Partnership film explains why and how riverflies are monitored. Learn about its applications in spotting pollution, deterring polluters, measuring the impact of restoration works, contributing to long-term data sets, and increasing awareness and education around our waterways.
Interested in discovering more?
Read: Growing ambitions: a new chapter for the Riverfly Partnership, 21 April, 2026
