Restoring the River Medway — and renewing our relationship with her
Rivers all over the world are suffering. In England, only 14% are in good ecological health, and every single one has failed their most recent chemical tests. We believe this can change.
ecological health
water tests
action
Three streams of action for the River
Hands-on action to restore & protect
From regenerative farming to citizen science, we meet the River where she is — giving her community the tools to care for her. Every test, every cleanup, every conversation builds towards a healthier Medway.
Using the law to protect the River
We advocate for the River's legal rights — working within and beyond existing frameworks to hold polluters to account and protect the Medway from harm. Practising guardianship today, without waiting for the law to catch up.
Reverence, listening, and deep care
Ancient peoples revered rivers as living beings. We seek to remember and revive those ways of deep connection — understanding the River not as a resource, but as a living presence worthy of love and care.
Why this work matters
England's rivers are in crisis. These numbers tell the story of what we're up against — and why we can't wait.
Classed as having Good Ecological Status — as close to their natural, healthy state as possible.
Every single English river failed their most recent chemical water quality assessment.
Practical, Legal, and Sacred — three interwoven approaches working together to heal the Medway.
We believe every river should be clean, vibrant, rich in nature, and free to flow in its natural course. Rivers ought to be thriving ecosystems — welcoming spaces for people to reconnect with the natural world.
Our vision is for rivers to become drinkable once again, as they were for our ancestors and throughout most of Earth's history.
Read our full vision →What we're working towards
To improve the ecological quality of the Upper Medway and surrounding tributaries.
To nurture interest in and knowledge of the River and ensure her condition is monitored.
To secure and promote the intrinsic Rights of the River Medway.
To promote public enjoyment of the River in a sensitive and sustainable way.
To prevent and remediate visible and invisible pollution in the Upper Medway.
To inspire a deeper relationship to the River, based on reciprocity, care and love.