Charity Doubles River Teme Donations for One Week

A conservation charity is doubling down on hope for one of England's most important rivers by matching every donation made during a special week-long campaign.

The Severn Rivers Trust announced it will match all public contributions to protect the River Teme between April 22 and 29. Every dollar donated becomes two, funding habitat restoration, tree planting, wetland creation, and water quality improvements.

The Teme faces serious challenges from eroded banks, pollution, and loss of tree cover. But Katie Jones, the charity's head of fundraising, sees clear paths forward.

"We know there are real challenges facing our rivers, including water quality, but there are also practical solutions," Jones said. The charity has already proven what's possible with proper funding.

In just the past six months, the trust created 22 new ponds, restored three hectares of wetland habitat, and brought back more than 10 hectares of woodland. These victories show what happens when communities invest in their natural spaces.

One species poised to benefit is the Atlantic salmon, which has struggled to swim upstream to spawn in recent years. PhD researcher Ed Noyes studies these fish in the Severn catchment and has watched their numbers decline.

But Noyes believes the tide is turning. "Improving habitat and helping fish move more freely can make a real difference over time," he said.

The Ripple Effect

The trust's success stems from an unlikely partnership between environmentalists and farmers. Restoration officer Sophie Bloor works directly with local farmers and found enthusiasm she didn't expect.

"They want to do stuff to help the rivers," Bloor said. "All the farmers she had worked with were super keen, super on board."

The challenge isn't finding willing partners or good ideas. Projects are ready to launch, Bloor explained, but funding remains the bottleneck.

The charity has worked alongside the Environment Agency, Shropshire Council, and local farmers to make progress happen. Now they're asking the public to help accelerate that work.

"We just need the finances to support it, so anything that anyone can give helps, and then it gets doubled," Bloor said. "That's a huge win for us."

The one-week appeal transforms every contribution into twice the impact for river restoration, making this the perfect moment for anyone who cares about clean water and thriving wildlife to make their support count double.