Friends of the River Wye have launched The Riverside Code, a new guide to equip the public with the tools to help protect and restore rivers.

Launched on 22 April (Earth Day), The Riverside Code is a practical, pocket-sized guide designed to help people understand how to care for rivers and respond to the growing crisis facing the River Wye. Inspired by the Countryside Code, it translates concern into clear, accessible actions that anyone can take.

Developed in response to the question, “What can I do to help the river?”, the Code empowers individuals to become active river guardians. It sets out how to identify and report pollution incidents, understand key environmental and farming regulations, and recognise harmful practices.

The guide highlights practical steps people can take at home and along riverbanks, alongside opportunities to get involved in local volunteering and citizen science. Initiatives such as the Big Ranunculus Watch invite the public to contribute to a better understanding of the river’s ecological decline.

The Riverside Code is also designed to inspire. It features illustrations by artist Jessica Watkins, including a detailed catchment map that brings to life a central idea: that everything happening across the land affects the health of the River Wye, and that its future is shaped by the actions we all take.

Nicola Cutcher, clean river campaigner at Friends of the River Wye, who developed The Riverside Code with colleagues, said: “For years people have asked us what they can do to help the river. The Riverside Code is our answer. If everyone who loves the Wye steps up to protect the river, real change could happen. We all have a role to play, from spotting and reporting pollution to making changes at home and lobbying for government action. If we want to restore our rivers, it has to be a collective effort.”