Wear Catchment Partnership

Managing rivers and their surrounding landscapes requires coordinated action across sectors, places, and communities. The Wear Catchment Partnership helps create the conditions for this joined-up working at a catchment scale.

About the Partnership

The Wear Rivers Trust has hosted the Wear Catchment Partnership since its inception in 2010 as part of the then newly created Catchment Based Approach.

This holistic approach brings together a range of civil-society organisations to deliver far-reaching environmental, social, and economic benefits whilst protecting blue and green spaces for future generations.

The partnership has the power to bring together a range of sectoral interests to address land and water management at a strategic and whole-catchment scale – ultimately leading to integrated catchment management solutions for the Wear Catchment.

Discover More

Visit the partnership website to learn about collaborative action across the River Wear catchment.

Taking Action Together

Wear Catchment Partners

Areas of Focus

Our focus is collaborative, catchment-scale action that supports long-term benefits for people and nature.

Clean Water

Improving water quality across the Wear by reducing pollution from agriculture, towns, and industry, and tackling legacy issues such as mine water.

Flood Management

Using nature-based solutions like wetlands, floodplain restoration, and woodland to reduce flood risk and build climate resilience.

Wildlife & Habitats

Restoring rivers and wetlands, improving fish passage, supporting priority species, and tackling invasive non-native species.

Land Management

Working sustainably with farmers and land managers to protect soils, reduce runoff, and deliver benefits for water and nature.

Urban Rivers & Communities

Enhancing rivers in towns and cities through blue/green infrastructure, better access, and community led improvements.

Partnership Working

Bringing together a range of organisations, land managers, and communities to coordinate action and share expertise.

Evidence & Monitoring

Using data, monitoring, and citizen science to inform action, measure success, and adapt approaches over time.

People & Engagement

Connecting people with the River Wear and its catchment through education, volunteering, and local stewardship opportunities.

Our Achievements

In 2025, collaborative work across the Wear catchment delivered tangible progress, strengthening partnerships and supporting long-term improvements for people and nature.

Citizen scientists, farmers & landowners engaged with

0 km

Waterbodies managed for INNS (Invasive Non-Native Species)

0 km

Of waterbodies enhanced in the Wear Catchment

Unique funding partners supporting our vital work

0 m3

Of ponds and scrapes have been newly established

Contact Us

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact us and our team will be happy to assist. Please email our Senior Catchment Officer via: wcp@wear-rivers-trust.org.uk