The Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust has established itself as one of the primary organisations delivering river and wetland restoration projects across the catchment. From putting the wiggles back and daylighting channels to removing or mitigating barriers to fish passage, creating in-channel habitat, constructing wetlands and delivering natural flood management solutions in urban and rural settings, our work has not only seen substantial improvements to the river network but also to the knowledge and expertise across local communities.
We are strong supporters of partnership working and ensuring that any river enhancement we undertaken delivers the maximum benefit in that location. Wherever possible we use existing data and evidence to plan our work and we spend a lot of time collecting our own data on the health of our rivers, ensuring that we form relevant and focused projects which address the problems on the ground.
The River Ouse
The Sussex River Ouse is a beautiful and fascinating network of over 1200 kms of rivers, streams and brooks which collect water from just over 650 square kms of the surrounding countryside. The main River Ouse begins from springs near to Slaugham in West Sussex before flowing south east to Haywards Heath before meeting its main tributary, the River Uck, at Isfield. From their confluence (meeting point) the River Ouse flows southwards through the historical Barcombe Mills to Lewes and finally meets the sea at Newhaven. Read more about the River Ouse
The River Adur
With a total catchment area of about 500km2, the course of the River Adur runs for 20 miles but has two distinct arms aptly named the Western Adur and the Eastern Adur. The Western Arm rises near Slinfold flowing through Shipley and West Grinstead, the Eastern Arm rising near Ditchling Common passing between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill and through Twineham. These arms join 2 km west of Henfield and flow south across the Henfield Levels. From here it flows towards Upper Beeding, Bramber and on to Shoreham-by-Sea. Along this stretch are the remnants of the once prolific salt marshes rich with unique species. Read more about the River Adur
Our vision is for rivers, streams & wetlands to be at the heart of a clean, connected and multifunctional landscape, bursting with life and providing opportunities for all those who depend on them.
Our impact is diverse, from putting the wiggles back and daylighting channels to removing or mitigating barriers to fish passage, creating in-channel habitat, constructing wetlands and delivering natural flood management solutions in urban and rural settings, our work not delivers substantial improvements to the river network but also to the knowledge and expertise across local communities. Read our 2023/2024 impact report here.
Our Funding comes from a range of sources including grant giving bodies, local authorities, the Environment Agency and local businesses through our inclusion as an environmental partner to 1% for the Planet. All of these rely on us writing robust proposals and funding applications and we spend a lot of time collecting data and evidence required to ensure our work has the impact required.
We receive no core funding and as we work to Charity Commission Guidelines we don’t make profit from our work, everything we do and all the money we have is directed at improving our rivers.
Our members also help us achieve our goals through their subscriptions and you can support us through becoming a member or making a donation
The knowledge of the team gives us the experience to succeed
Peter King
Director
Pete has been working for the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust since 2011 developing and delivering projects for people and wildlife. From small scale interventions to large engineering projects, fish passage improvements to mitigating water quality issues, he is focused on ensuring an evidence-based, integrated approach is at the heart of everything we do. An advocate of community participation and partnership working, Pete is also the Chair of the Adur & Ouse Catchment Partnership.
Pete has been working for the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust since 2011 developing and delivering projects for people and wildlife. From small scale interventions to large engineering projects, fish passage improvements to mitigating water quality issues, he is focused on ensuring an evidence-based, integrated approach is at the heart of everything we do. An advocate of community participation and partnership working, Pete is also the Chair of the Adur & Ouse Catchment Partnership.
Rachel Paget
Operations Manager
Rachel has worked for the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust since 2014 and now takes charge of co-ordinating project delivery across the catchment. Specialising in both urban and rural natural flood management and drought resilience, Rachel also has a wide range of experience in delivering fish passage and associated habitat enhancements as well as providing range of advice on land management for river health.
Rachel has worked for the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust since 2014 and now takes charge of co-ordinating project delivery across the catchment. Specialising in both urban and rural natural flood management and drought resilience, Rachel also has a wide range of experience in delivering fish passage and associated habitat enhancements as well as providing range of advice on land management for river health.
Alistair Whitby
Senior Project Officer
Before joining OART in 2019, Alistair worked for many years in international development policy, conservation and environmental education for a range of NGOs. Having been part of the team which restored the Broadwater Brook Alistair is instrumental in the delivery of our chalk streams work along with developing our largescale community projects and campaigns to raise awareness of the water environment. Alistair also runs all our social media via Twitter and Facebook.
Before joining OART in 2019, Alistair worked for many years in international development policy, conservation and environmental education for a range of NGOs. Having been part of the team which restored the Broadwater Brook Alistair is instrumental in the delivery of our chalk streams work along with developing our largescale community projects and campaigns to raise awareness of the water environment. Alistair also runs all our social media via Twitter and Facebook.
Tara Dawson
Catchment Officer (River Adur)
ITara is dedicated and passionate about preserving and enhancing the local biodiversity and landscape. With experience in ecological surveying and having volunteered with numerous charities to help protected local species, Tara brings a broad knowledge and skill-set in project implementation, engagement, and communication to the role. As the main point of contact for the Adur Adaptation Project, Tara has a fantastic knowledge of the catchment and strategic oversight of the pressures and solutions required for a resilient water environment.
ITara is dedicated and passionate about preserving and enhancing the local biodiversity and landscape. With experience in ecological surveying and having volunteered with numerous charities to help protected local species, Tara brings a broad knowledge and skill-set in project implementation, engagement, and communication to the role. As the main point of contact for the Adur Adaptation Project, Tara has a fantastic knowledge of the catchment and strategic oversight of the pressures and solutions required for a resilient water environment.
Jo Owens
Catchment Officer (River Ouse)
Jo has been passionate about the environment since she was a child, and focused her zoology degree on freshwater ecology after witnessing the effects of an algal bloom. She is committed to protecting and restoring aquatic and riparian ecosystems, whilst preserving or enhancing their associated ecosystem services. Jo is working with a range of partners to deliver the River Ouse Invasive Non-Native Species strategy across its three strands of monitoring, biosecurity and control. She is also coordinating OART’s citizen science monitoring projects, including water quality testing and the annual sea trout watch.
Jo has been passionate about the environment since she was a child, and focused her zoology degree on freshwater ecology after witnessing the effects of an algal bloom. She is committed to protecting and restoring aquatic and riparian ecosystems, whilst preserving or enhancing their associated ecosystem services. Jo is working with a range of partners to deliver the River Ouse Invasive Non-Native Species strategy across its three strands of monitoring, biosecurity and control. She is also coordinating OART’s citizen science monitoring projects, including water quality testing and the annual sea trout watch.
Jessica Duggan
Trust Administrator
With many years experience in Charity Administration, Jess is excited to use these skills for her passion for nature conservation.
Being fortunate to live near the Bevern Stream, her love for wildlife has grown from an interest and passion to the goal of her professional life. She is encouraged by the renewed enthusiasm and movement to nature regeneration and is determined to focus her energies, both professionally and personally, in effecting change for the better. Working with the brilliant OART team is enlightening and inspiring.
With many years experience in Charity Administration, Jess is excited to use these skills for her passion for nature conservation.
Being fortunate to live near the Bevern Stream, her love for wildlife has grown from an interest and passion to the goal of her professional life. She is encouraged by the renewed enthusiasm and movement to nature regeneration and is determined to focus her energies, both professionally and personally, in effecting change for the better. Working with the brilliant OART team is enlightening and inspiring.
Lois Mayhew
Catchment Manager
Lois has previously worked for Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre on delivery of biodiversity data projects, and more recently for Natural England’s England Ecosystem Survey delivering a national survey programme.
As Catchment Manager, Lois works with stakeholders and partners of the Adur and Ouse Catchment Partnership to develop an action plan and through this developing funded projects and initiatives to improve the health of our rivers.
Lois has previously worked for Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre on delivery of biodiversity data projects, and more recently for Natural England’s England Ecosystem Survey delivering a national survey programme.
As Catchment Manager, Lois works with stakeholders and partners of the Adur and Ouse Catchment Partnership to develop an action plan and through this developing funded projects and initiatives to improve the health of our rivers.
Philip Evans
Chair
Philip is currently a Director at Savills, a multi-disciplinary international estates and planning consultancy, where he manages a team of acoustics, noise and vibration consultants across the UK. Philip started his career as a geologist working on exploration oil and gas rigs – a perfect background to assist at OART with their water sampling analysis, which he has done for many years. He is a keen fisherman, conservationist, deer manager and supports various local and international wildlife groups. Philip recently became the new chair of the Trust.
Philip is currently a Director at Savills, a multi-disciplinary international estates and planning consultancy, where he manages a team of acoustics, noise and vibration consultants across the UK. Philip started his career as a geologist working on exploration oil and gas rigs – a perfect background to assist at OART with their water sampling analysis, which he has done for many years. He is a keen fisherman, conservationist, deer manager and supports various local and international wildlife groups. Philip recently became the new chair of the Trust.
Robin Akers
Vice Chair
Robin has been a Trustee of OART for fifteen years. He ran the OART Task Force for nearly ten. He is currently OART Vice Chair and an award winning life-saver.
Robin has been a Trustee of OART for fifteen years. He ran the OART Task Force for nearly ten. He is currently OART Vice Chair and an award winning life-saver.
John “Sam” St Pierre
Trustee
John is better known by his nickname “Sam”. Sam is a retired dental surgeon who has always had an interest in freshwater biology since he was at school. His primary interests are water chemistry and the study of freshwater invertebrates. He is involved in both the water testing and invertebrate monitoring activities of OART and until recently was the Trust’s Chair. He is also Water Resources Officer for the Sussex Branch of the Salmon & Trout Association.
John is better known by his nickname “Sam”. Sam is a retired dental surgeon who has always had an interest in freshwater biology since he was at school. His primary interests are water chemistry and the study of freshwater invertebrates. He is involved in both the water testing and invertebrate monitoring activities of OART and until recently was the Trust’s Chair. He is also Water Resources Officer for the Sussex Branch of the Salmon & Trout Association.
Simon Turner
Trustee
Simon is director of Lewes based technology company NTD Internet. He has been fascinated by rivers and streams and the natural life they support since he was young. Simon provides IT and business services for OART. He is an active member of the task force and also served as OART Pollution Officer. Much of his leisure time is spent managing his land in Barcombe for native wildlife and biodiversity.
Simon is director of Lewes based technology company NTD Internet. He has been fascinated by rivers and streams and the natural life they support since he was young. Simon provides IT and business services for OART. He is an active member of the task force and also served as OART Pollution Officer. Much of his leisure time is spent managing his land in Barcombe for native wildlife and biodiversity.
Ruth Wallis
Trustee
Ruth was brought up on the Norfolk Broads. Her family farmed around Barton Broad, a Ramsar site. She gained a First Class Honours Degree (BSc) in Rural Enterprise and Land Management from Harper Adams Agricultural College and subsequently managed Estates in Somerset and Suffolk, becoming involved in farmer based projects to create groups to deal with water resource management.
Ruth is now Estate Manager for the Newick and Sutton Hall Estates. The Estate has three dairy herds and eight miles of the River Ouse running through it, including the Longford Stream. The Estate is sensitive to the environmental impact of farming and cognisant of the pressures farmers face trying to deal with caring for the environment. The Estate has worked with OART on a number of projects to improve the river and the Longford Stream. Ruth has a love of rivers, the sea and the environment supporting them.
Ruth was brought up on the Norfolk Broads. Her family farmed around Barton Broad, a Ramsar site. She gained a First Class Honours Degree (BSc) in Rural Enterprise and Land Management from Harper Adams Agricultural College and subsequently managed Estates in Somerset and Suffolk, becoming involved in farmer based projects to create groups to deal with water resource management.
Ruth is now Estate Manager for the Newick and Sutton Hall Estates. The Estate has three dairy herds and eight miles of the River Ouse running through it, including the Longford Stream. The Estate is sensitive to the environmental impact of farming and cognisant of the pressures farmers face trying to deal with caring for the environment. The Estate has worked with OART on a number of projects to improve the river and the Longford Stream. Ruth has a love of rivers, the sea and the environment supporting them.
Dr James Ebdon
Trustee
Dr James Ebdon is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology and a lecturer within the School of Environment and Technology at the University of Brighton. He has 15 years’ experience developing and applying novel, low-cost methods for determining sources of contamination in surface waters. He is also interested in safe water and sanitation provision in low-resource settings and has worked on water quality projects in Africa (UNICEF), India, and South America. He has authored 33 publications, including 1 book chapter, and has presented his work to academics, students, engineers, MPs, the general public and water professionals in 18 countries.
Dr James Ebdon is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology and a lecturer within the School of Environment and Technology at the University of Brighton. He has 15 years’ experience developing and applying novel, low-cost methods for determining sources of contamination in surface waters. He is also interested in safe water and sanitation provision in low-resource settings and has worked on water quality projects in Africa (UNICEF), India, and South America. He has authored 33 publications, including 1 book chapter, and has presented his work to academics, students, engineers, MPs, the general public and water professionals in 18 countries.
Roderick Yuill
Trustee
Roderick is a retired Dental Surgeon and was introduced to Game fishing by “Sam” St Pierre over twenty years ago, since when he has been a keen angler, developing an interest in the maintenance and quality of our lakes and rivers. Rod joined the Salmon & Trout Association (now called “Wildfish”) and was Chairman of the Sussex Branch for the last 13 years. Rod was also Chairman of the Cinder Hill Fly Fishing Syndicate for a similar length of time. Rod has been a member of OART for over 10 years.
Roderick is a retired Dental Surgeon and was introduced to Game fishing by “Sam” St Pierre over twenty years ago, since when he has been a keen angler, developing an interest in the maintenance and quality of our lakes and rivers. Rod joined the Salmon & Trout Association (now called “Wildfish”) and was Chairman of the Sussex Branch for the last 13 years. Rod was also Chairman of the Cinder Hill Fly Fishing Syndicate for a similar length of time. Rod has been a member of OART for over 10 years.
Dave Brown
Trustee
Dave is an environmental scientist and the retired head of a university unit, having previously worked in the environmental consultancy sector. He is Hon. Secretary of the Ouse Angling Preservation Society. While a general environmental scientist, with particular experience in fields of environmental impact assessment and environmental auditing, he has a strong interest in the aquatic environment and has worked in a professional capacity on many river systems.
Dave is an environmental scientist and the retired head of a university unit, having previously worked in the environmental consultancy sector. He is Hon. Secretary of the Ouse Angling Preservation Society. While a general environmental scientist, with particular experience in fields of environmental impact assessment and environmental auditing, he has a strong interest in the aquatic environment and has worked in a professional capacity on many river systems.