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6 Phonebox Magazine | March 2025Safeguarding our riversSometimes it is comfortable to indulge in nostalgia %u2013 even if viewed through rose-tinted glasses. The summers were warmer, more snow in the winter, and the pot-holes fewer. However, in my childhood memories, our rivers were crystal clear and healthy play centres. You could walk the bank and see dace and minnows playing, Moorhens with their chicks ,and Dragonfl ies fl uttering in the breeze. The sound of children%u2019s laughter as they splashed, played and swam was joyous.Even then that wasn%u2019t typical of an urban river, often fi ghting for its life against industrial pollution. How times have changed, over the last two to three decades there have been major pollution challenges for all our rivers. With the pressures growing on water boards and land management, the increase in pollution and climate change is impacting humans in terms of health and fl ooding.What can we do?Over the past fi ve years I have been a volunteer river warden. The role involves walking the banks of the Great Ouse throughout the year, monitoring the health of the river. Even in that short time I have witnessed the gradual degradation of the water quality and the impact on local wildlife and people. There has been a decrease in the amount of water birds, invertebrates and insects, together with poor water quality for human water sports.The need for consistent and accurate water information is paramount, enabling the Environment Agency and the many river trusts and charities to meet the challenge. Therefore, any walkers, boaters or anglers have an opportunity to feedback information to the necessary authorities for action. Local communities are forming action groups to deal with fl ooding and other impacts of unclean water. These groups are always on the lookout for volunteers who can help, especially in times of emergency.Water is life, and clean water is a basic need. Action is required to ensure this legacy for our children, grandchildren and children unborn. So, think about volunteering for a specifi c role or just be a part of the general eyes and ears providing valuable information.Together as a community we can safeguard our rivers and wildlife %u2013 and us too!Local author Jim Coley writes about how important it is to keep the conversation going about our local rivers and waterways, and the impact of fl ooding in the local area.Photograph of the River Ouse (taken from the foot bridge on the way to Clifton Reynes) by Steve Brown from Olney Camera Club