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Where we work

Our projects around the world are promoting the protection and good management of freshwater habitats...

River Itchen, chalkstream.

Rivers in the UK

UK rivers are in danger. Only 26% are healthy enough to support a vibrant ecosystem. And even these are under increasing pressure from our growing population, spiralling water use and climate change. We work with communities, businesses and government to protect UK rivers and their water supplies.

Amazon river

Brazil and the Amazon

The Amazon river is home to far more freshwater species than any other river on Earth - including over 3,000 kinds of fish and three types of river dolphin. But the fast-growing economies of the nine countries the river flows through mean competition for water resources is greater than ever.

Fishing boat on Yangtze.

China

The Yangtze River holds 35% of China’s total water resources and one-third of its fish. It runs through an area populated by 470 million people. Climate change, large dams, sluice gates and industrial and agricultural pollution are just some of the issues that threaten this area.

Gully on a former Kesubo swamp, Lake Bogoria region, Kenya

East Africa

Most people in East Africa live in rural areas and rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. Protecting water resources is critical if this is going to continue. But they’re under threat from climate change, growing populations, power generation and pollution.

The Rio Conchos, the main source of irrigation water for crops grown in the Chihuahua Desert, Mexico

Mexico

The Rio Conchos is the lifeblood of northern Mexico’s biologically rich Chihuahuan Desert. But agricultural and urban development have put enormous stress on the region’s freshwater ecosystems.

The Ganges River

South Asia

In India and Pakistan, escalating demand for water and poor water management are putting freshwater ecosystems under increasing pressure. About 90% of water withdrawn in the region is used for agriculture. Pollution from agro-chemicals, waste water and industry also pose a huge threat - around two billion litres of sewage enters the Ganges every day.

Mekong river; former proposed dam site.

The Mekong

The 4,500km-long Mekong is one of the world’s great rivers. Snaking through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before discharging into the South China Sea, it is home to biodiversity that rivals the Amazon – a river six times its size. However, rapid development is putting this unique ecosystem at risk.