Friday 6 November
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Our final river clean of 2026 brought volunteers together one last time before winter.
With the river now in its annual close season, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership is reflecting on the positive impact made by volunteers, community groups and local schoolchildren throughout 2026.
From November through to April, people should not enter the river or fish, helping to protect brown trout during their annual spawning season.
During the winter months, brown trout lay and fertilise their eggs in gravel beds along the river. Walking in the water or fishing during this period can disturb spawning fish and damage fragile nests, known as redds, where eggs develop. Allowing the river this period of rest is an important part of protecting the wildlife that depends on this rare habitat.
Any incidents of fishing during the close season can be reported to the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
A Rare and Valuable Habitat
The River Dour is one of the UK's rare chalk streams, a globally important habitat found in only a handful of places around the world. Its waters support a rich variety of wildlife, all of which depend on healthy habitats and good water quality.
Protecting the river remains as important as ever. Litter and pollution can have lasting impacts on wildlife and the wider environment. Metal objects can corrode and release harmful substances, glass can cause injuries, while cigarette butts and discarded vapes introduce toxins and plastics into the river system.
Looking Back on 2026
Our final River Dour clean of the year at the end of October brought volunteers together one last time before winter, providing an opportunity to celebrate another successful year of conservation, volunteering and education along this rare chalk stream.
Between April and October, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership worked alongside volunteers and community groups to deliver 14 river clean sessions.
Together, volunteers removed 111 bags of litter, as well as two bicycles, three shopping trolleys, five traffic cones, a vacuum cleaner and a suitcase. Nearly 600 volunteer hours were dedicated to helping protect and improve this special chalk stream.
These regular clean-up sessions help reduce pollution, improve habitats for wildlife and ensure the river remains a valued green space for local people.
A huge thank you goes to everyone who volunteered this year. Their commitment continues to make a genuine difference for the River Dour and the species that depend upon it.
Inspiring Future River Guardians
Conservation is not just about improving habitats today but helping people understand and care for them in the future.
Throughout 2026, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership also welcomed 868 children to the River Dour through school visits, river dipping sessions and educational activities.
These experiences gave young people the opportunity to discover the wildlife living beneath the river's surface, learn about the importance of chalk streams and explore the simple actions everyone can take to protect local waterways, from reducing litter to using water wisely.
Connecting young people with nature is a vital part of ensuring the River Dour continues to be valued and protected for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
The partnership will return to the River Dour in April 2027 when the close season ends and practical conservation activities can safely resume.
This year also saw White Cliffs Countryside Partnership mark 20 years of River Dour clean-up events, a milestone that reflects the long-term dedication of volunteers and local communities. While the river now enters its winter rest period, the collective effort shown this year demonstrates that support for the Dour remains as strong as ever.
If you'd like to get involved in helping to care for the River Dour and other local wildlife sites, visit our volunteer page to find out more about volunteering with White Cliffs Countryside Partnership.
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WCCP News