Norfolk Rivers Trust
Scope: Local
Website: https://www.norfolkriverstrust.org
Email: info@norfolkriverstrust.org
Phone: +44 1263 711299
Norfolk Rivers Trust is an environmental charity focused on restoring and protecting Norfolk’s rivers, wetlands, and freshwater habitats. Founded in 2011 and part of The Rivers Trust movement, the organisation works across Norfolk’s river catchments to improve water quality, restore natural river processes, support biodiversity, and engage local communities in conservation efforts.
Overview
Norfolk’s rivers include internationally important chalk streams, wetlands, and broads that support wildlife, recreation, agriculture, and local communities. Norfolk Rivers Trust works to restore these ecosystems through practical habitat improvements, river restoration projects, natural flood management, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring.
The Trust collaborates with landowners, anglers, local authorities, farmers, schools, businesses, and conservation organisations to create healthier and more resilient river systems throughout the county.
Contact Details
- Address: Unit 15, Bayfield Brecks, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7DZ, United Kingdom
- Phone: +44 (0)1263 711299
- Email: info@norfolkriverstrust.org
- Website: www.norfolkriverstrust.org
River Restoration and Habitat Work
The Trust delivers a wide range of river and wetland restoration projects designed to return waterways to a more natural state. Work includes:
- Restoring meanders and natural river flow
- Creating wetlands, backwaters, and spawning habitats
- Installing woody debris and gravel features for fish and invertebrates
- Planting riparian vegetation to stabilise banks and reduce pollution runoff
- Improving floodplain connectivity and natural flood management
These projects help improve biodiversity, water quality, fish populations, and climate resilience across Norfolk’s river catchments.
Angling and Fisheries
Healthy rivers are essential for sustainable angling, and Norfolk Rivers Trust supports habitat improvements that benefit coarse fish, migratory fish, and aquatic ecosystems. Restoration projects improve spawning grounds, water quality, and in-stream habitat complexity that support healthier fish populations.
The Trust frequently works alongside anglers, fisheries groups, and conservation volunteers on practical river improvement projects and invasive species management initiatives.
Conservation and Species Recovery
Norfolk Rivers Trust is involved in several species-focused conservation projects aimed at protecting and restoring native wildlife. Projects include:
- White-clawed crayfish conservation and ark site creation
- Eurasian beaver habitat projects on the River Glaven
- Planned reintroduction work for burbot, a freshwater fish once native to Norfolk rivers
- Control of invasive species such as Himalayan balsam
The Trust also works to improve habitats for amphibians, birds, aquatic insects, and wetland wildlife through broader ecosystem restoration work.
Water Quality and Citizen Science
Improving water quality is a major focus of the Trust’s work. The organisation promotes nature-based solutions such as treatment wetlands, pollution reduction initiatives, and sustainable land management practices.
Citizen science programmes allow volunteers and local communities to help monitor river health through water testing, wildlife surveys, and conservation action days. Projects such as CaSTCo help gather important environmental data that supports river restoration planning and decision-making.
Current Projects
Recent and ongoing projects include:
- Riverlands: Improving the health of the Upper Bure
- Wholescape in Norfolk: Source to Sea
- Himalayan balsam control on the River Wensum
- Partnerships with WWF and Carlsberg to reduce agricultural pollution and improve river resilience
- Community engagement and access-to-nature programmes across Norfolk
These initiatives combine conservation, climate adaptation, farming collaboration, and public engagement to support long-term river recovery.
Community Engagement
Norfolk Rivers Trust actively encourages public involvement through volunteering, education programmes, practical conservation days, citizen science initiatives, and partnerships with local groups and schools.
Volunteers contribute to habitat restoration, invasive species control, river monitoring, and environmental education activities throughout the county.
Additional Information
The Trust operates across many of Norfolk’s major river catchments, including the Wensum, Bure, Glaven, Yare, and Waveney systems. Its work supports biodiversity, recreation, flood resilience, sustainable agriculture, and long-term environmental recovery.
Norfolk Rivers Trust is a registered UK charity and works closely with national and local conservation partners to help secure the future of Norfolk’s rivers and wetlands.