Riverfly Monitoring Initiative Training Day: Minster, Ramsgate

Would you like to help fight river pollution in your area, and learn more about freshwater ecology? Become a Riverfly Monitor!

The Riverfly Partnership and ARISE Initiative invite you to take part in a Riverfly Monitoring training & data collection day.

We will start the day with training by the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative, which will equip you to become an official Riverfly monitor. We will provide a light lunch and refreshments, followed by a group data collection activity in the nearby river, to gather your first set of data.

As trained Riverfly monitors, you will then be invited to continue collecting monthly data on the health of your local river.

Participation is voluntary, and you may choose which activities you wish to join. Training and lunch will be provided free of charge.

We welcome participation from adults (18+) who live in, work in, or have a connection to the local area.

View the full details for the event at the following participant information sheet (https://easternarc.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ARISE-RMI-Participant-Information-Sheet.pdf).

What is the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI)?

RMI is a nationwide citizen science scheme. Volunteers collect long-term data on riverfly populations, providing valuable information on the health of our rivers.

RMI data has been used to support prosecutions by statutory agencies, has informed better management techniques, and resulted in remedial action being taken (see RMI website (https://www.riverflies.org/case-studies) for examples).

RMI monitoring acts as an excellent deterrent. The knowledge that there are monitors in the area can deter possible polluters

What are riverflies?

Riverflies are freshwater invertebrates that can tell us how healthy a river is. Because they are sensitive to pollution, changes in their numbers can show whether water quality is improving or getting worse.

What does participation in the event involve?

On the Training & Data Collection Day, participation involves:

Providing formal consent to take part

Taking part in a training session to become an official Riverfly Monitor

Completing a short questionnaire about knowledge and confidence before and after activities, and optionally sharing reflections on your experiences

Collecting data from your local river

After the training day, you are invited to:

Continue collecting monthly data as a group, to contribute to monitoring the health of your local river

If you choose, share ongoing reflections on your experience as a Riverfly Monitor

These activities aim to help protect local natural resources by improving early awareness of potential environmental concerns, supporting timely responses, and encouraging shared stewardship of local waterways and surrounding environments.

Where will the event take place?

The first part of the training will take place at the John Spanton Sports Pavilion on St Mildred's Road, where we will also provide a light lunch. We will then walk approximately half an hour together to the nearby river for the practical element of the training.

What is the ARISE Initiative?

This event is part of a broader research study led by the University of Essex: Advancing Resilience and Innovation for a Sustainable Environment (ARISE). This study aims to strengthen resilience to environmental and social change in the coastal areas of south and east England.

View more information about the ARISE initiative here (https://easternarc.ac.uk/arise/).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any prior experience or equipment?

Prior experience or knowledge is not required. We will provide all equipment, as well as a light lunch, free of charge.

Are there any accessibility considerations?

The indoor training session will be held at the John Spanton Sports Pavilion in Minster, Ramsgate. The building has step-free access and parking is available at the venue.

The outdoor data collection will take place in and next to the river. Some activities involve entering the river in waders, which we will provide. Volunteers doing this part of the activity will need to be comfortable wading in flowing water up to knee height and able to access the river safely from the riverbank.

Entering the river is not required for all volunteers. There will be other ways to take part, including supporting handling and identifying the invertebrates collected from the river. We aim to make the session as inclusive as possible, so please contact us in advance if you have any access requirements or would like to discuss which activities would be suitable for you.

Can children attend?

Volunteers taking part in the training and data collection activities must be aged 18 or over. Children may be able to observe from the riverbank if accompanied by a responsible adult, but they will not be able to take part in the sampling activities or enter the river. Any children attending remain the responsibility of their parent, guardian, or accompa

Description supplied by the event organiser.