Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

River Chess Water Survey Day 

Great day surveying for NOSES (Nutrient Ongoing Scrutiny Evaluation Survey) on the river Chess.
The samples taken from the river will tell us about the level of phosphate in the water.

If you are interested we are in Chorleywood next Saturday: https://bit.ly/4n1Fwo9

World Mental Health Day

Take time this weekend to spend time in your local park or nature reserve or visit one of the local chalk streams of the Chilterns.

Sit down and take your time. Look at the rolling clouds and enjoy the sound of the the wind in the trees and the whispering current...

River Chess Water Survey Day - Chorleywood Free event to have a go at water sampling, contribute to vital citizen science, and learn about the Chess - a beautiful chalk stream!

Hands-on day of science and environmental action!

Collecting river water samples to test for phosphate levels. No experience needed! 

📅 Friday 10th October 
https://tinyurl.com/NOSESRestoreHope

and

📅 Saturday 18th October 

SmartRiver Survey

We have now collected samples from the river Chess and the River Hamble. We should receive the results of the survey in the next few weeks and that will tell us more about riverfly species and diversity in these two chalk streams.

Stay tuned!

Extended Riverfly Training Autumn 2025 Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn more about freshwater invertebrate groups with Steve Brooks, Riverfly Co-chair

Extended Riverfly Training- One week to go!

Last opportunity to book this free event: for tor those who are already confident in Riverfly monitoring and would like to learn how to identify more species. 

https://bit.ly/45cXSN8

Book now!

River Chess Water Survey Day - Chorleywood Free event to have a go at water sampling, contribute to vital citizen science, and learn about the Chess - a beautiful chalk stream!

Hands-on day of science and environmental action!

Collecting river water samples to test for phosphate levels. No experience needed! 

📅 Friday 10th October 
https://tinyurl.com/NOSESRestoreHope

and

📅 Saturday 18th October 

River Chess Water Survey Day - Chorleywood Free event to have a go at water sampling, contribute to vital citizen science, and learn about the Chess - a beautiful chalk stream!

Hands-on day of science and environmental action!

Collecting river water samples to test for phosphate levels. No experience needed! 

📅 Friday 10th October 
https://tinyurl.com/NOSESRestoreHope

and

📅 Saturday 18th October 

‼️Chalk stream bird walk- River Misbourne- CANCELLED ‼️

We are very sorry, but we have to cancel this event due to yellow warning for high winds

⚠️⚠️⚠️

We are hoping to run this event in the future.

If you have any questions contact us: chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

‼️Chalk stream bird walk- River Misbourne- CANCELLED ‼️

We are very sorry, but we have to cancel this event due to yellow warning for high winds

⚠️⚠️⚠️

We are hoping to run this event in the future.

If you have any questions contact us: chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

‼️Chalk stream bird walk- River Misbourne- CANCELLED ‼️

We are very sorry, but we have to cancel this event due to yellow warning for high winds

⚠️⚠️⚠️

We are hoping to run this event in the future.

If you have any questions contact us:  chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

Extended Riverfly on the Chess.

By comparing data before and after restoration, the monitoring helps understand how well the stream is doing. Extended riverfly provides more detailed data by monitoring 33 species. 

We are running a free training day on the 14th October:  https://bit.ly/45cXSN8

MoRPh Training day 2025 Do you want to know more about MoRPh survey or would you like to refresh your skills? Join us in November!

Modular River Survey (MoRPh) training day

https://bit.ly/466Ujr1

The day will consist of presentations in the morning to teach the MoRPh method and a practice session along a small section of the river. 

Only few spaces available!

Threats Despite the rarity and value of chalk streams, these precious and unique freshwater ecosystems are at risk. The chalk streams in the Chilterns are widely regarded as amongst the most threatened in the UK.

World River Day!

Chalk streams are very rare and fragile ecosystems and they are under threat from sewage and chemical pollution, climate change, habitat loss, drought and water scarcity:

Tomorrow!

Don't miss stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day with Not Bourne Yesterday 

28 September 10:00-16:00

Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

River Ver, St Albans, images taken within 100m of each other. Different ways chalk streams support their local mammalian populations: both important symbols of the role these streams play in our modern society, and should be cherished and celebrated!
(Water vole photo: credit Ver Valley Society)

We were excited to join the CaSTCo conference yesterday celebrating the launch of their new roadmap for unified catchment monitoring. https://castco.org/roadmap/
Inspiring collaboration with organisations from across the country, all passionate about the power of citizen science to help our rivers!

Events What's on in and around our Chilterns Chalk Streams? Find out here.

‼️ Check out our Events page with new events and training opportunities! ‼️

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day

28 September 10:00-16:00

Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

MoRPh Training day 2025 Do you want to know more about MoRPh survey or would you like to refresh your skills? Join us in November!

Free Modular River Survey (MoRPh) training day

15 November 10:00

https://bit.ly/466Ujr1

Very limited spaces available, book now to avoid disappointment.

Autumn is here!

Today the sun is perpendicular to the equator, and daytime and night time are of approximately equal duration.

Autumn is often celebrated with festivals, music, dancing, and communal gatherings.

Look around you, do you see nature changing colours already...?

Redbourn Common Walk Join us for pleasant and interesting circular walk on the outskirt of Redbourn (Herts) that will take us along the River Ver.

‼️Not long until our Redbourn Common Walk ‼️

Friday 17 October 10:30am 

Book your place now!

💚💚 Chesham Green Market 💚💚

We are here today with River Chess Association

Come and visit us! Do you want to know more about the river ecology and what we do? We have some invertebrates from the River Chess to display and talk about.

Riverfly monitoring on the Bulbourne

Our September survey was wet and quite cold. We still managed to have fun and count several species!

If you are interested in riverfly monitoring or helping with other projects, don't hesitate to contact us: 

chalkstreamsvolunteers@chilterns.org.uk

Redbourn Common Walk Join us for pleasant and interesting circular walk on the outskirt of Redbourn (Herts) that will take us along the River Ver.

Redbourn Common Walk 💚💚💚

Book your place on this lovely 7km walk from Redbourn and along the River Ver on 
Friday 17 October 10:30am 

https://bit.ly/4gcUsy0

👣👣👣

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day

28 September 10:00-16:00

Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

Redbourn Common Walk Join us for pleasant and interesting circular walk on the outskirt of Redbourn (Herts) that will take us along the River Ver.

👣 Redbourn Common Walk 👣

Friday 17 October 10:30am 

Book your place on this lovely 7km walk from Redbourn and along the River Ver.

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day

28 September 10:00-16:00

Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

Redbourn Common Walk Join us for pleasant and interesting circular walk on the outskirt of Redbourn (Herts) that will take us along the River Ver.

Redbourn Common Walk

Friday 17 October 10:30am 

Join us on this lovely 7km walk from Redbourn and along the River Ver

Chalk Stream Birds walk Join us for a leisurely stroll along the chalk stream, where we'll be spotting all kinds of beautiful birds in their natural habitat.

Chalk Stream Birds walk

🦢🦆 🪹

Don't miss out! Join our walk along the Misbourne.

4 October, 9:30

Book now!

Extended Riverfly Training Autumn 2025 Already confident in the Riverfly method? Join us to learn more about freshwater invertebrate groups with Steve Brooks, Riverfly Co-chair

Extended Riverfly Training on the Chess

14 October 2025

Less than a month to book.

This free event is for tor those who are already confident in Riverfly monitoring and would like to learn how to identify more species. 

https://bit.ly/45cXSN8

See you there!