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.
Join us at Grange Park for a hands-on citizen science day where young people can develop practical environmental skills and make a real difference to local nature! Working alongside ZSL staff and experienced MoRPh CSci trainers, you'll learn how to survey river habitats, identify aquatic invertebrates and monitor freshwater health ahead of planned restoration works.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience in ecological monitoring, discover new skills and explore potential pathways into environmental science and conservation.
*No previous experience is needed, and you'll be supported throughout the day in a friendly, inclusive learning environment
Date: 11th of November 2026, 10:30AM-3:30PM
Location: Grange Park Hayes, England
Book your place here
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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.