Email: MarineandFreshwater@ZSL.org
Follow our Eventbrite Page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/zsl-marine-and-freshwater-19227197801
The River Thames and its tributaries are home to a diverse array of wildlife, and ZSL is working to conserve and enhance this biodiverse ecosystem.
We're enlisting the help of citizen scientist volunteers in our vital conservation work. Whether you can help for a few hours, days or months, there are a number of projects for you to get involved with throughout the year.
In 2026, ZSL’s freshwater citizen science projects will include:
- Outfall Safari’s: This involves conducting bankside surveys at various locations across Greater London to help locate, rank and report sources of pollution in London's rivers.
- Riverfly Monitoring Initiative: To help gauge the health of waterways, monthly river samples are collected to estimate the diversity and abundance of invertebrates.
- Conserving the Critically Endangered European eel: These surveys measure, count and release eels across barriers to help them migrate through our rivers. This data helps us better understand their life history and distribution.
- London Water Vole Recovery Programme: We are looking for volunteers to help us monitor water voles at sites across London to gain more information about water vole distribution and recovery.
Please sign up to one of our training sessions below to learn how to carry out bankside surveys to identify and score polluting outfalls. More information can be found on the Eventbrite links below.
River Wandle
- Tuesday 10th March, 10:30 - 12:30. Please click on the link for more details.
River Pinn
- Thursday 12th March, 13:30 - 15:30. Please click on the link for more details.
Upper Brent & Dollis Brook
- Thursday 19th March, 10:30 - 12:30. Please click on the link for more details.
Ravensbourne/Quaggy/Pool
- Tuesday 31st March, 10:30 - 12:30. Please click on the link for more details.
Outfall Safari training sessions will re-open in March 2027.
Please sign up to our European eel monitoring training events to help us better understand eel population trends and their distribution across the Thames catchment.
River Thames, Molesey Weir
- Thursday 26th March, 17:30 - 19:30. Please click on the link for more details.
- Thursday 21st May, 17:30 - 19:30. Please click on the link for more details.
River Medway, Allington Lock
- Thursday 30th April, 16:30 - 18:30. Please click on the link for more details.
Join us for the 9th year of London Rivers Week (23rd - 31st May): Are you curious about freshwater habitats and wildlife in London? Whether you are a wildlife professional, a nature enthusiast, or simply river-curious, join us for a special event at ZSL London Zoo. Find out more about our "Can London be a wetland city?" talk and sign up here for tickets.
Discover how organisations are working to restore London’s rivers and protect freshwater wildlife. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about conservation efforts, and explore how these projects are improving river habitats across the city.
Stay tuned for more events!
What we need from you
Prior experience is not necessary and all equipment will be provided to you. All you need is wellies, a willingness to learn from our experts and a bit of spare time to take part - we provide the rest!
All volunteers must be over 18. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please sign up to our Eventbrite page for more information and further opportunities.
Unable to volunteer, but keen to help?
If you are unable to volunteer but would still like to support our conservation work on London's rivers, you can still make a difference by donating or fundraising for us. Your support helps fund research, river restoration projects and citizen science programmes that improve river habitats and protect wildlife.
You can also help conservation scientists understand how water vole reintroduction projects are progressing by reporting water vole and mink sightings.
If you want to contribute to our Outfall Safari programme, please report any signs of polluting surface water outfalls such as sewage fungus to Thames Water.
If you see a dead or stranded marine mammal, please inform the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.