River Restoration Programme

Overview

The River Restoration Programme (RRP) team within Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is a national initiative aimed at restoring Welsh rivers to a more natural state, improving ecological health, and delivering multiple benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience, and communities. It complements NRW’s statutory duties under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) Regulations and supports large-scale projects like Four Rivers for LIFE and regional catchment restoration schemes.

We restore Welsh rivers so they can flow naturally, support wildlife, and help communities adapt to climate change. Healthy rivers mean cleaner water, more resilient landscapes, and better places for wildlife and people. By restoring rivers, we’re helping Wales adapt to climate change and protect its natural heritage for future generations.

What We Do

We develop and support projects across Wales and we also deliver some projects too. 

🌊 Reconnect rivers and floodplains to reduce flood risk and store carbon.

🐟 Remove barriers for fish migration so species like salmon and trout can thrive.

🌳 Improve habitats for fish and wildlife by adding natural features like woody material and planting trees along riverbanks.

🤝 Working with communities and landowners to deliver nature-based solutions that benefit everyone.

 

Get in touch

adferafonydd@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Natural Resources Wales

Closes 30 Nov 2030

Opened 30 Nov 2025

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • River restoration
  • Rivers

Interests

  • Adfer afonydd
  • Adnoddau Dwr
  • Bioamrywiaeth
  • Biodiversity
  • Community Voulnteering
  • Cynllunio dwr
  • Dee
  • Fishing
  • Flooding
  • Gwirfoddoli Cymunedol
  • Landscapes
  • Llifogydd
  • Pysgota
  • resources
  • river basin planning
  • River restoration
  • Terrestrial ecosystems and species
  • Tirweddau
  • water framework directive
  • water planning
  • Water Resources
  • WFD
  • Y Gyfarwyddeb Fframwaith Dwr