Helping the River Eden Ecosystem to Flourish

Friends of the River Eden Ecosystem (FREE) is a vibrant volunteer community helping our local waterways to thrive.

Your involvement ensures a healthy future for our remarkable rivers and streams.

Because We're All Part of It

The River Eden meanders through the towns and villages of Kent and Surrey, connecting woodlands, meadows, and communities along its banks.

Although its waters and tributaries support a rich variety of wildlife – from kingfishers and dragonflies to wildflowers and water plants – the ecosystem needs care and protection in order to flourish.

Friends of the River Eden Ecosystem exists to protect, restore, and celebrate this fragile, precious natural habitat for generations to come.

Get Involved

Our Vision, Our Dream

What if the River Eden was full of fish?

What if the water was clean?

What if children could play in the rivers?

What if the rivers teemed with wildlife?

What We Do

Habitat Restoration

Nothing beats putting on our gloves and wellies and cleaning, uprooting invasive plants and removing debris.

Sometimes, afterwards, cake may be involved!

Join a Work Party

Talks, Walks & Learning

Keen to truly understand our local ecosystem, we have organised guided walks along local river banks and streams, and invited experts to share their knowledge. We have been for a behind-the-scenes tour of Bough Beech Reservoir.
Future events are announced in our Newsletter.

010 JH River Eden Walk 27th Jan24_edited.jpg

News About Events

Wildlife Protection

The River Eden is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, from swans and herons to tiny aquatic insects that keep the ecosystem in balance. Every small action by our volunteers helps safeguard the Eden’s wildlife for the future.

Grab Your Wellies and Get Involved!

Citizen Science

There are many way our volunteers play vital roles in protecting the River Eden. Our Citizen Scientists rigorously test water quality. They provide essential data that helps environmental agencies understand the river. This is valuable work that otherwise will not get done!

Become a Citizen Scientist

Campaigning

Cleaning a stream is more than an act of environmental conservation. It is also a form of proactive, quiet activism.

Change is slowly happening, but sometimes, you also need to make a placard and march on Parliament!

Get The Latest News

Why We Care

We’re not waiting for the water companies to step up. With wellies on and determination in hand, FREE is on a mission to reverse decades of harm to our local waterways and the ecosystems they support.

Every small action matters. Together, we can restore the health of our rivers today… and for generations to come.

Get Involved

Today's Challenging Reality

The Environment Agency has rated the
River Eden as Environmentally Poor.

Some of the causes are:

Litter.
Storm overflows.
Untreated wastewater.
Limited free movement of fish due to weirs, tunnels and pipes.
Agricultural pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser run-off.
Invasive non-native species such as Himalayan Balsam plants, signal crayfish, mink.

Join In

Undaunted by the obstacles, our growing group of volunteers hold a firm vision of healthy, thriving waterways.

We welcome support and there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Volunteering: Wet & Wild volunteers are involved outdoors in the environment, and Dry & Devoted volunteers bring their skills to support FREE behind the scenes.
Come along to on a 'Get To Know Your River' walk and talk.
Get your wellies on for some energetic 'Himalayan Balsam Bashing' and litter picking along the Eden River banks.
Join a 'FREE' Water Quality Testing talk-and-walk.
Work alongside upstream and downstream groups in Limpsfield, Edenbridge and Lingfield.
Read our quarterly newsletter for event dates and news.