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CPRE Herefordshire AGM 2026: Citizen Science, a WyeViz Award & Young Voices
Attendees heard how River Wye citizen science data is guiding recovery work across the catchment, congratulated WyeViz creator Michael Carpenter on his River Wye Preservation Trust award, and found out how to join our PLAN team.
Thank you to everyone who came to the CPRE Herefordshire AGM
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday. Your questions, ideas and support keep CPRE Herefordshire working for the county’s countryside.
Why River Wye citizen science matters
Since 2020, more than 500 volunteers have collected over 50,000 water samples across the Wye catchment. Citizen science volunteers test for phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, electrical conductivity and turbidity, then upload their results through the EpiCollect5 app to Wye Viz, a freely available online record of all results..
Together with our partners in the Wye Alliance, these volunteers have created the largest and most comprehensive dataset of any river catchment in England. Volunteers monitor far more locations, more regularly, than government agencies can, which gives a much clearer picture of where pollution is coming from and how the river is changing.
Who uses the citizen science data?
The data is used by every governing body involved in improving the Wye catchment, including:
- Environment Agency
- Natural England
- Natural Resources Wales
- Herefordshire Council
- Nutrient Management Board
- Wye Catchment Partnership
The Environment Agency uses the results in its reports and in major water plans for the catchment. Partners use the data to identify pollution hotspots, target action and track progress over time.
Find out more about this project here
A huge thank you to every Citizen Scientist. Your ongoing testing work is vital and your results are read and acted on by each of these organisations.
Congratulations to Michael Carpenter
Every year CPRE Herefordshire gives the River Wye Presentation Trust (RWPT) award to a deserving individual. We look carefully at who has contributed and worked towards returning the Wye Catchment to favourable condition. The size of this task often means that their efforts are not easily recognised.
In 2026 this is not the case because this person has worked tirelessly for over five years in collating and visualising all the Citizen Science data. His work has moved Citizen Science ahead and as a result this significant body of work, through the platform of Wye Viz, is used by Regulators, the public and academics alike. The data is helping to guide major plans being written for the catchment. It is also the best and biggest data set of any catchment.
As a result, the recipient of this year’s work who has been very active within Friends of the River Wye is Michael Carpenter.
Along with the award everyone at CPRE Herefordshire gives him our heartfelt thanks.
Join our PLAN team
We are looking for new members to join our PLAN team, which reviews planning applications that affect Herefordshire’s countryside and responds where development could harm it. Experience of planning is ideal, but training can be provided.
To find out more, email admin@cpreherefordshire.org.uk
We want to hear from young people
We want young people’s views to help shape our work for Herefordshire’s countryside. If your organisation, school or college would like to take part, we would love to arrange a time to meet.
Email admin@cpreherefordshire.org.uk to find out more or get involved.
Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM. We are very grateful for all your support and look forward to another busy year helping to protect Herefordshire’s countryside!
