The River of Life is an exciting project that will transform over two kilometres of riverbank along the Thames, restoring wetland features and wildlife habitats that were more typically seen centuries ago. It will become a wild stretch of the iconic River Thames which will help save threatened wetland wildlife, improve water quality, and change the relationship that society has with its wetlands and wildlife, now and for future generations. Creating this ambitious project will require three different phases, starting with the hard landscaping of the area, followed by habitat creation. The final stage will put in place a new permissive footpath and learning and engagement features for people of all ages.

Thanks to the support of the Environment Agency and the fantastic response we have had to our appeal from local people and grant-making trusts, we are pleased to announce that we will be able to complete all of the hard landscaping to create the wetland features of the River of Life by the end of this year. Work will start at the end of September.

 

We are now launching our appeal to raise funds for phase 2, the habitat creation phase. Subject to funding, we will begin this phase next spring, and it will include planting willows, reedbed and wet woodland, as well as grassland restoration. This phase also includes a community learning and engagement programme, and work on eco-system services. There will be opportunities for volunteers to get involved in the planting, and any support from the local community will be appreciated.