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Twenty-six years of measurable change

Since 1998, we have restored 1,247 kilometres of British river, trained 8,000 volunteers, and brought the otter back to catchments where it had been absent for decades.
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Rivers restored. Species returned.

Our work is grounded in evidence. Every site surveyed, every species counted, every kilometre of channel remeandered — it feeds into a picture of what is possible when the river is given space to recover.
Our programmes

Your support, measured in rivers

Every pound donated to Alder & Otter goes into practical field work: channel restoration, citizen-science monitoring, school visits to catchments, and the patient work of bringing back species that belong here.
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Our impact at a glance

km of river restored
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Restoring river habitats

Since our first channel restoration on the River Wye in 1998, we have remeandered, de-silted, and revegetated 1,247 kilometres of British waterway. Each project is assessed before and after using standardised ecological surveys: invertebrate counts, riparian vegetation mapping, and fish-population estimates. The evidence is consistent — within five years of restoration, invertebrate diversity improves by an average of 34 per cent and juvenile fish abundance increases significantly.

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trained volunteers
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Building a movement

River recovery does not happen without people. We have trained 8,000 volunteers across the UK, from citizen scientists running monthly water-quality tests to practical conservation volunteers clearing invasive species from riverbanks. Our Riverside Schools programme has now reached 312 schools, introducing 47,000 pupils to their local catchment. Many of our most committed adult volunteers began as school visitors to one of our field days.

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schools reached
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Wildlife returning

Otter activity in our 37 priority catchments has increased by 42 per cent since 2010 — not because we released otters, but because we restored the habitat and removed the disturbance that had driven them out. We have completed four water vole reintroductions, all at sites where a multi-year programme of habitat preparation and mink control preceded the release. All four populations are currently self-sustaining. The species do not lie.

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What our supporters say

I joined the Water Quality Watch programme on the River Lugg three years ago. Since then, our monitoring data has contributed to two successful pollution investigations. Knowing that a monthly two-hour walk along a riverbank can have that kind of reach — that is what keeps me going.
Harriet Woolley
Supporter since 2021, Herefordshire
“As a volunteer, I’ve witnessed first-hand how our efforts are helping the river thrive again. It’s fulfilling to be part of such an important mission for our community.”
James Wright

Our Gallery

Explore our collection of images showcasing the beauty of river habitats and wildlife.
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Help Restore Our Rivers and Wildlife – Your Support Makes a Difference

  • Contribute to our river restoration projects
  • Engage with local communities and schools
  • Support wildlife protection and education efforts
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Common Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about our work.

We measure our impact through a combination of habitat assessments, wildlife surveys, and community feedback. Regular monitoring helps us understand the effectiveness of our restoration efforts, ensuring that we stay aligned with our goals.

Our projects focus on river restoration, wildlife protection, and community engagement initiatives. We aim to improve habitats for keystone species while also educating the public on the importance of our natural ecosystems.

You can support us by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word about our conservation efforts. Every bit of help counts, and we would love to have you as part of our community working toward a better future for our rivers.

We rely on donations from individuals, grants from trusts, and partnerships with corporates to fund our initiatives. Transparency is important to us, and we provide regular updates on how funds are allocated.

Yes, we welcome visitors to our projects! Guided tours and volunteer days offer a chance to see our work firsthand. Check our events page for upcoming opportunities to visit and get involved.