River Aire Care is the headline project for our riverside conservation volunteers and is the “brand” that most practical volunteers will see us engaging under. Our volunteers have been caring for the River Aire since 2018. Their work helps make it a better place for people and wildlife.

It encompasses a wide range of habitat improvement, litter clearance and access improvement work across the upper and middle Aire (but primarily in the Bradford district). It also includes our annual Big Spring Clean Up with local groups along the river.

The work of our volunteers is extremely varied and takes place along the riverbank from Leeds to the top of the Aire valley. We improve access by caring for riverside footpaths, footbridges and urban pocket parks. Along the river, we use traditional countryside skills and green engineering knowledge to protect riverbanks from erosion and to care for hedges and riverside habitats like wet woodlands and floodable meadows. In Spring, as the flood waters drop we remove litter and debris from the riverbanks and tackle fly-tipping along the river.

We work on land owned by local councils and farmers along the river and with riverside businesses. Much of our work is in Bradford, Bingley and Keighley but we regularly find ourselves in the upper Aire. We can promise you hidden beauty spots, fantastic views and great company.

Our volunteer parties are typically six to twelve people and always welcome new volunteers. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and ages. For many it is there first experience of conservation work. We don't expect volunteers to have any skills apart from a basic level fo fitness and a willingness to try new things.

River Aire Care is made possible thanks to the generous support of a wide range of funders including Bradford Council, Patagonia, Groundwork, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation., the Esme Fairburn Foundation and Patagonia together with many other funders who have supported our projects along the river.

© Copyright Aire Rivers Trust 2020
The Aire Rivers Trust is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No: 07464227 and a Registered Charity No: 1145609
Registered Office at: 38 Morton Lane, East Morton, Keighley BD20 5RS