Rivers, community action, and environmental accountability – how can citizens make a real difference to the natural world?
Can volunteers help monitor water quality, spot pollution, or hold institutions to account? What happens when communities collect evidence that challenges governing bodies? And how can young people get involved in environmental action?
Join Dr Lucila Newell (University of Sussex), Dr Ellie Rotheray (University of Sussex), Sarah Butler (environmental campaigner and citizen scientist), and Ffion Thomas (Friends of the River Medway) for a lively, accessible session exploring the Ripple Effect project and how citizen science and local engagement can protect rivers and biodiversity.
This session is for sixth form students taking Environmental Science, Geography, Biology, Politics, and Sociology, and current University of Sussex students and staff.
In this session you will:
- explore the story of the Ripple Effect project
- learn the importance of connecting with nature to generate sustainable environmental change
- discuss the current state of rivers
- explore the impact of citizen science
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Posted on behalf of: Sussex School for Progressive Futures
Last updated: Monday, 16 February 2026