THE RIGHTS OF THE RIVER OUSE

In March 2025 I, Ouse, became the first river in the UK to have my rights formally recognised by a council. You can help uphold and protect my eight rights through simple actions and in return, I shall help protect yours.

No. 1 The Right to Exist in my Natural State

I have a right to exist as a living, natural river that supports life — including you!

What you can do to help me:

  • Spend time with me and understand my natural processes
  • Speak up when development could harm me

No. 2 The Right to Flow

I need to be able to flow naturally, with enough water

What you can do to help me:

  • Report any blockages or obstacles to the Environment Agency
  • Ask local decision-makers to allow me to flow more freely, but safely, without harming you
  • Ask them to re-wriggle me! When I wriggle, my flow slows and so does the risk of me flooding you.

No. 3 The Right to Perform Essential Natural Functions

I should be able to flood within the river catchment, support food — that’s how I stay alive and create life for all.

What you can do to help me:

  • Avoid damaging my riverbanks or wildlife habitats
  • Plant trees
  • Connect with local nature groups such as Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust and Wildfowl
  • Support natural flood management projects — viva the beaver!

No. 4 The Right to Feed and Be Fed From Sustainable Aquifers

I depend on clean underground water, and that water needs protecting

What you can do for me:

  • Avoid pouring chemicals, oils or medicines down your drains
  • Please use eco-friendly cleaning products — the others really hurt me
  • Support efforts to protect my underground life, not carried straight into the sewers and then the sea (shorter showers, use a water butt)
  • Use water wisely at home

No. 5 The Right to Be Free from Pollution

I should not be polluted by sewage, chemicals, plastic or waste — should you!

What you can do for the Ouse:

  • Please pick up your dog poo when you see it — even if it’s just one piece!
  • Never litter and pick up your own poo — other people do it and it can hurt me
  • Report pollution incidents when you see them to the Environment Agency
  • Support campaigns for cleaner waterways

No. 6 The Right to Native Biodiversity

I should be full of thriving life — packed with fish, birds, plants and insects that belong here.

What you can do for me:

  • Volunteer with local non-invasive sessions organised by the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust
  • Sign up to River Ecology 101 sessions with Love Our Ouse
  • Report invasive non-native species to INNS Mapper —
    https://inns-mapper.org/home

No. 7 The Right to Regeneration and Restoration

If I have been damaged, I have a right to be healed and brought back to life.

What you can do:

  • Volunteer in river clean-ups or restoration projects
  • Support organisations working to restore rivers
  • Advocate for investment in nature recovery
  • Encourage landowners to plant trees on riverbanks

No. 8 The Right to an Active and Influential Voice

I deserve to have a say and be represented in the decisions that affect me.

What you can do:

  • Respond to planning consultations that affect me
  • Support the idea that I should be represented in planning
  • Encourage local leaders to consider my rights and needs in their decisions — they have committed to doing so, so please make them keep their word to me.

I, ________, will help uphold and protect the River’s eight rights through actions.