Introducing the Riverside Code

Friends of the River Wye have launched The Riverside Code, a new guide endorsed by author Robert Macfarlane (Is a River Alive?) and actor and activist Jim Murray (The Crown, Masters of the Air), to equip the public with the tools to help protect and restore rivers. 

Launched on 22 April (Earth Day), The Riverside Code is a practical, pocket-sized guide designed to help people understand how to care for rivers and respond to the growing crisis facing the River Wye. Inspired by the Countryside Code, it translates concern into clear, accessible actions that anyone can take. 

Developed in response to the question, “What can I do to help the river?”, the Code empowers individuals to become active river guardians. It sets out how to identify and report pollution incidents, understand key environmental and farming regulations, and recognise harmful practices. With agricultural pollution identified as the primary threat to the River Wye, the Code aims to raise awareness and enable communities to play a role in improving standards. 

The guide also highlights practical steps people can take at home and along riverbanks, alongside opportunities to get involved in local volunteering and citizen science. Initiatives such as the Big Ranunculus Watch invite the public to contribute to a better understanding of the river’s ecological decline and identify factors which could aid its recovery.  

The Riverside Code is also designed to inspire. It features illustrations by artist Jessica Watkins, including a detailed catchment map that brings to life a central idea: that everything happening across the land affects the health of the River Wye, and that its future is shaped by the actions we all take. 

Friends of the River Wye hope the Code will help build a wider culture of river guardianship, both locally and nationally, encouraging other communities to adopt similar approaches to protecting their rivers.The booklet has been produced by volunteers at Friends of the River Wye, with initial production costs supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. 

The Riverside Code can be found at selected bookshops and community spaces throughout the Wye catchment, as well as at public events attended by Friends of the River Wye. It is available for free to maximise its accessibility, though there is a suggested donation of £5 (or whatever people can afford) to enable further print runs according to demand.

Find out more here >>