Citizen Science

Citizen Science

Citizen-science volunteers are helping us collect evidence of the current condition of the River Chess, so we can work to improve it.

The River Chess and its catchment is a precious landscape and resource – important for both people and wildlife. It faces many pressures from over abstraction to habitat loss, climate change to development. But there are lots of ways that we can all help to turn these challenges into opportunities, helping nature’s recovery and preserving our important natural resources.

We can all make a difference to the river, whether it’s in a big or small way. From adjusting how we use water to undertaking practical work to protect the river, collective action can help protect and enhance the catchment that we value.

Checkout our report below summarising Citizen Science activity and findings on the River Chess. 

Citizen science surveys

Water quality surveys

Water quality surveys

Our citizen scientists have been collecting important water quality data to help us understand where improvements could be made.

Image of a freshwater invertebrate underwater

Ecology surveys

Biodiversity is a key indicator of environmental health; our citizen scientists are helping us monitor species abundances and improve habitat quality in the Chess catchment.

Citizen science portal

Citizen science portal

We’ve designed and created a portal for our citizen scientists to access anything they might need to help with surveys,...

The Ripple Effect

We were asked to be part of #TheRippleEffect film series by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) in 2024:

Our survey locations on the River Chess

“I enjoy taking part in habitat surveys and water sampling and have found it very interesting to learn about the river and its ecology in the process. The Chess Valley is stunning and, as a Citizen Scientist, it has been a great bonus to be able to visit beautiful sites along the river that I would never have seen otherwise.” – Sally B.

“Great team!” – Ken A.

Upcoming Events

Riverfly Training October 2024- 21

Riverfly monitoring: Guided walk and survey of the River Bulbourne

  • 12 January
  • 11:00

Join the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Team on a short...

Riverfly Training October 2024- 27

Spring 2025 Extended Riverfly Training

  • 1 March
  • 10:00

Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn...

Riverfly Training October 2024- 24

Spring 2025 Riverfly Training Day

  • 12 April
  • 9:00

Join us for our Spring Riverfly Monitoring Training day. This...

Contact us

The Smarter Water Catchment initiative was designed to involve the local community in any way possible. Contact us to ask any questions, make suggestions or leave comments about our citizen science surveys throughout the Chess catchment.

Monthly newsletter

View our previous monthly newsletters and/or sign-up to receive regular updates about citizen science survey results, events, projects led by partner organisations and much more.

Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

Learn about our flagship partnership project, committed to conserving our threatened chalk streams and the wildlife they hold.

Events

See what we've got coming up in the Chess catchment!