Ffrindiau’r Afon Gwy
Friends of the River Wye
Science, art and community to protect the river.
Defra’s River Wye Action Plan misses the mark, despite marginal improvements
While we welcome that the plan acknowledges the facts about the declining state of the River Wye, it fails to outline the necessary actions needed to save a river in crisis due to agricultural pollution. It is not the right plan for an emergency.
Read our full statement here >>
Regulators called on to provide a fair playing field
More than 500 people packed out the Blake Theatre in Monmouth to hear the latest solutions to tackle the crisis on the Wye from farming groups, food processors, NGOs and the chairs of the EA and NRW. The clear message from the night was that we have had plenty of time and advice - now the regulators need to provide consistent enforcement of the rules.
Watch full event on YouTube >>
Friends of the River Wye
The Wye is at a low ebb, suffering from severe pollution and the effects of climate change. Friends of the River Wye is a grassroots community group that has formed to protect and champion our local river.
Citizen Scientists as River Guardians
We made this short film to explain our citizen science project and celebrate some of our volunteers monitoring the Llynfi.
Find out more about becoming a citizen scientist >>
River water quality in near-time
Wye Viz, developed by FORW trustee Michael Carpenter, provides weekly updates fed in from hundreds of citizen scientists across the Wye Citizen Science Alliance (FORW, CPRE and WSA)
Browse the full dataset on Wye Viz here >>
Latest phosphate readings
See the sites monitored by FORW that are currently reading the highest 4-week average phosphate levels, as measured on our Hanna meters. The Freshwater Habitats Trust advises that phosphate levels higher than 0.1 represent high pollution levels, and higher than 0.5 represents very high pollution.
Take action to protect the river.
Citizen science
We need data. High nutrient levels in the Wye and its tributaries are feeding algal blooms which are damaging the river. We desperately need far more regular testing at many more locations - which is where people power can make a real difference.
Art and outreach
LiftTheRiver is an arts initiative which hopes to explore the role of the river in the imagination. It is an invitation to help the Wye through creativity, exploration and collective action.
Designated bathing water
We want to improve the health of the river, both for the safety of the people who may swim in it and to protect the environment in and around the water.
“How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee,
O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods,
How often has my spirit turned to thee!”
William Wordsworth.