A network of groups and nature projects caring for East Lothian’s waterways
Rivers are the lifeblood of our ecosystems. Carrying water, nutrients and life from source to the sea, rivers are at the heart of our work for a healthier, better connected and more resilient landscape.
East Lothian River Connections is a collection of different groups and projects working on East Lothian’s waterways. This network will be hosting public events on these valuable sources of nature, to build knowledge as well as connection to our local rivers.
Healthy rivers are upstream of healthy communities.
River Connections is reservoir for all the water-based ecology projects happening in East Lothian, and opportunities for individual and collective action.
For more information see our events page or the groups below:
The Rivers & the Groups
Tyne | Esk | East Burns | Map
River Tyne
• Friends of the River Tyne
A volunteer-led organisation committed to the protection and enhancement of the River Tyne and environment. It works collaboratively with local authorities, environmental bodies, and community partners to monitor water quality, restore habitats, and promote sustainable stewardship of the river corridor. Typical activities include balsam blitzing, river clean ups, and litter picks.
• Guardians of our Rivers
The Guardians of our Rivers project (through Buglife) recruits people who want to get involved in monitoring the health of their local river, and supports them on their learning journey to becoming trained Citizen Scientists. Training and support is provided on how to:
– monitor and survey rivers for invertebrates
– identify target groups of invertebrates
– spot early warning signs of habitats in crisis, e.g., from pollution or climate change
There are currently groups in Haddington, East Linton and West Barns monitoring the rivers for invertebrates.
buglife.org.uk/projects/guardians-of-our-rivers/
• Restoration Tyne: Balanced Horizon, Muir to Forth’
In partnership with the Forth Rivers Trust, Balanced Horizon has been supported by funding from the Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, to explore restoration options for the River Tyne catchment. strengthen ecological networks and reduce flood risk across the River Tyne.
balancedhorizon.org/muir-to-forth/
• East Lothian Angling Association
The Angling Association exists to provide affordable, high-quality wild trout, sea trout and salmon angling on the River Tyne and its tributaries, for the people of East Lothian, surrounding counties and visitors. Its’ objectives include improving and sharing knowledge of the river and the functioning of its ecosystem; and improving, maintaining and facilitating the development of excellent habitat for all wildlife
River Esk
• Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership (LECP)
Formed by the Forth Rivers Trust, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, NatureScot, SEPA, and Scottish Water to restore flooding and manage nature.
forthriverstrust.org/project/lothian-esk-catchment-partnership
• Riverfly on the Esk
Riverfly on the Esk is a source-to-sea citizen science project which monitors the health of the Lothian Esk. Started in 2019, it now has 15 monitoring sites located on both arms of the river which then join and flow out towards Musselburgh in East Lothian. It joins the national Guardians of our Rivers network and wider nationwide network of Riverfly Partnership groups across the UK, monitoring river health using freshwater invertebrates.
Riverfly on the Esk | Midlothian | Facebook
East Lammermuir Coastal Burns
• River Catchment Restoration project
A community initiative led by Sustaining Dunbar aiming to create a shared vision of a regenerating landscape and to explore how landowners and members of the wider community can work together to revitalise our coastal burns.
• Guardians of our Rivers
The Guardians of our Rivers project (through Buglife) recruits people who want to get involved in monitoring the health of their local river, and supports them on their learning journey to becoming trained Citizen Scientists. Training and support is provided on how to:
– monitor and survey rivers for invertebrates
– identify target groups of invertebrates
– spot early warning signs of habitats in crisis, e.g., from pollution or climate change
There is currently a groups in Oldhamstocks monitoring the rivers for invertebrates: Oldhamstocks for Nature
buglife.org.uk/projects/guardians-of-our-rivers/
Map
Events
Tips and resources: what you can do to help look after our local rivers
- World Water Day World Water Day | UN-Water; 22 March every year
- Scottish Freshwater Group Scottish Freshwater Group | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; SGF Calendar
- The Big River Watch The Big River Watch | The Rivers Trust; September 2026
- The Great UK Water Blitz Great UK WaterBlitz – Earthwatch Europe; 18-21 September
Take action!
Tips and resources: what you can do to help look after our local rivers
River Action UK
For campaigns, examples of legal cases and policy resources, River Action has great resources and templates.
riveractionuk.com