🌈The Chilterns are beautiful this time of the year! 🌈 Autumn light has a dramatic potential, creating a unique atmosphere for photography. The best time to capture this light is just after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon. 🌔 Share your favourite photos with us!  👇

MoRPh Training day Excellent attendance at our Modular River Survey day.  We need more monitors to survey our chalk streams, especially the Hamble Brook and Hughenden Stream. Get in touch if you think you can help!  [email protected]

Last week the we joined the Chilterns National Landscape team and visited the Luton Henge. The site is used for community events and performances and part of the Nature Calling Programme designed to promote connection between communities and their local National Landscape.  @chilternsnl.bsky.social

‼️Two weeks to go ‼️ River Chess Citizen Science Evening  Join us for an evening of celebration and socializing.  You will hear about NOSES and SmartRivers surveys, the impacts of the phosphate stripping in Chesham and updates on new collaborations. See you all there!

🐟Great day today learning about Redd surveying. 🐟 If interested in surveying for redd contact us! [email protected]

The unseasonal  warm weather we are having means that you can spot Trout redds, spawning sites, on some rivers like the recently restore River Gade. The redds in the photos are from the section restored in 2018.

❗Redd Survey Training ❗ Don't miss the opportunity to train for redd surveys! If you are interested in helping monitor brown trout on the Chess, join the free training day this Monday Nov 17 from 9:30am to 12pm https://bit.ly/487rYCf @chilternsnl.bsky.social  @riverchesspaul.bsky.social

🐟Redd Survey Training 🐟 We are running redd surveys to monitor our brown trout population, and we need your help. Take part in the training and help monitor brown trout on the Chess. Latimer Park Nov 17 from 9:30am to 12pm https://bit.ly/487rYCf @chilternsnl.bsky.social @riverchesspaul.bsky.social

Chess - Sarratt Cottages  Have a look at some of these amazing photos take with a drone! Enjoy the Autumn colours in the Chilterns 🍃🍂🍄💛

✨ Last chance to get your ticket! ✨ 📆 The Riverfly Conference - 14th November, at the Natural History Museum. 🐛 We're thrilled to announce our keynote speaker, Josh Cohen at Leeds University, discussing their project: Riverkin. 👉 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theriverflypartnership/1670265

🐟Redd Survey Training 🐟 We are running redd surveys to monitor our brown trout population. If you are interested in helping monitor brown trout on the Chess, take part in the training! Latimer Park Nov 17 from 9:30am to 12pm https://bit.ly/487rYCf @chilternsnl.bsky.social @riverchesspaul.bsky.social

River Chess Citizen Science Evening  Do you will hear about our NOSES and SmartRivers surveys, the impacts of the phosphate stripping and updates on new research collaborations happening on the Chess? Join us in December, everyone welcome!

‼️Last opportunity ‼️ Biofilm Survey Training Tomorrow! Tuesday, November 4 · 1:30 - 2:30pm Moor Road Chesham HP5 1SA Researchers from Cranfield University are looking for your help to monitor river pollution events through collecting biofilm samples on rocks!

We had a great time with The Collett school on the River Gade! This is a new site for us and we would love to work with more schools in the Hemel Hempstead area. Get in touch to book your free workshop or river trip for this academic year https://www.chilternstreams.org/learning/

Biofilm Survey Training Tuesday, November 4 · 1:30 - 2:30pm Moor Road Chesham HP5 1SA Researchers from Cranfield University are looking for your help to monitor river pollution events through collecting biofilm samples on rocks! Book below if interested:

River Chess Citizen Science Evening  Tuesday 2nd December 18:00 White Hill Centre We welcome citizen scientists and anyone interested in chalk streams to join us for an evening of celebration and socializing. You will hear about surveys and updates on new collaborations.

Looking for free half term activities?  We have 2 story and craft sessions next week in Rickmansworth and Amersham. Come and find out about the wildlife  Suitable for ages 3-10years, no booking required.

NATIONAL REPTILE AWARENESS DAY! In the UK we have six native species - common lizard, sand lizard, slow-worm, grass snake, smooth snake and adder- plus several non-native ones. If you want to know more about how we support these species get in touch with us: [email protected]

On Saturday we had a great time working with some new volunteers who helped us survey phosphate levels in the Chess. If you're interested in joining us in one (or more) of our survey groups, contact us and we'll be happy to provide you with all the options!  [email protected]

Riverfly Training Day. Last week we had a great day training a group of motivated volunteers in riverfly survey. On the day we practised the ARMI three-minute kick sampling method and ID on target species. If you are interested, please contact us: [email protected]

The CCSP Newsletter will be out soon! If you are not on our mailing list let us know and we can add you so you get the latest news about our wok, or projects and events: [email protected]

🌿 The Chilterns National Landscape is seeking a garden designer for Chesham Station’s eco-friendly redesign. Help inspire sustainable gardening while keeping the garden’s charm! 📄 Download the brief: https://www.chilternstreams.org/2025/10/03/garden-designers-required #GardenDesign #CheshamInBloom

Join us for a hands-on day of science and environmental action! We're collecting river water samples to test for phosphate levels and need your help. No experience needed—just curiosity and a passion for protecting our precious chalk steam the River Chess. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4n1Fwo9

‼️One month to go‼️ Modular River Survey (MoRPh) training day https://bit.ly/466Ujr1 Only few spaces left!

Extended Riverfly training day on the Chess. Thanks to Steve Brooks, co-chair of the Riverfly Partnership and Simon Stebbings, Riverfly Hub Coordinator for their time. Thanks to everyone who turned up and gave their best effort! Next training session will be early spring 2026, watch this space 👀

Hands-on day of science and environmental action! Collecting river water samples to test for phosphate levels. No experience needed!  📅 Saturday 18th October 

River Chess Water Survey Day - Chorleywood Saturday 18 October 10:30 https://bit.ly/4n1Fwo9 Don't miss this opportunity!

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...

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- 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!

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 

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: [email protected]

‼️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: [email protected]

‼️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:  [email protected]

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

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!

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!

‼️ 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

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...?

‼️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:  [email protected]