London Rivers Week 2024 events 22nd to 30th June

London Rivers Week 2024 – 22-30 June

The theme this year is ‘London is a river city’ with a special focus on health and wellbeing and cultural activities.

• 6pm 24 June: Panel event on urgent need for new wetland areas and rain gardens London

The Gallery (2 mins from Farringdon station).

There is an urgent need to increase London’s resilience to climate change by creating major new wetland areas and an estimated 357,000 new rain gardens of around 20 m sq each.  Existing targets are set too far in the future.  Action is needed now! As standard, any roadworks should require a needs assessment for rain-gardens, and where needed – delivery!  This is the most cost effective way to accelerate rain garden creation.  Rain gardens are also a wonderful way to green our streets and can include trees, helping with urban cooling.  Rain gardens can also help with making our streets greener and more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists.  Learn more at this event which will include networking opportunities for people interested in this important issue.

• Saturday 29 June: Inclusive nature cycle – learn about the urgent need for more rain gardens

An exploration of sustainable urban drainage systems or SUDS.  Learn more about how these can help create a ‘sponge city’ and also make our streets greener and more beautiful – nurturing the health and well being of Londoners.  Capacity 15 people. More details coming soon.

• 10.30 to 11.30 – June 25th – Greenwich: Tidal Thames fishery survey on the foreshore of Royal Naval College

The Environment Agency fishery team will carry out a fish survey at Greenwich Foreshore. This entails carrying out a seine netting, kick-samples, and  measuring and recording fish. The activity will enable people to access the Thames foreshore and watch the survey take place. Participants will be able to watch the measuring of the fish and talk to officers about the ecology of the Thames and the fish that live in the river.  Bring your own wellies.  If you need to borrow wellies email anna@cprelondon.org.uk.  Max capacity 20 people. More details coming soon!

• Sponsored walk along the river Wandle

Date and details tbc.

Volunteers and friends of CPRE London are taking on the Wandle Trail. The Wandle is an internationally rare urban chalk stream once considered the “hardest working river” in the world because of the number of industrial mills along its length. It forms an important Green Corridor in south west London and inspires a network of local community groups who look after and protect it for the future.  Your support means CPRE London can continue their work to save and promote green space in the capital, making it a better, greener, healthier place for everyone to live in.  More details coming soon.