Thames 21

The Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre is a charming wildlife haven in Brent northwest London. We mobilise thousands of volunteers every year to clean and green the capital’s 400 mile network of waterways. Thames21 aims to transform neglected waterways into areas that everyone can use and enjoy, by using innovative and tailored community approaches.

Through our education programme, we are empowering people; our environmental enhancement work is transforming rivers; meanwhile our pioneering research and advocacy work are paving the way for sustainable change. All of this is achieved with the direct engagement and support from a wide network of dedicated volunteers. Through environmental improvements, community engagement, education and advocacy we bring about effective and lasting change by working hand-in-hand with communities to deliver tangible and measurable improvements to rivers across London and the Thames Basin.

Education

Teaching people about the issues faced by rivers is key to ensuring that people of all ages understand their importance and encouraging people to take action to ensure that waterways prosper, which includes behaviour change. Engaging with people of all ages is vital for sustainable environmental improvement. It provides an opportunity to change attitudes and encourage lifelong positive behaviour.

Many of our projects have an educational element, whether it be teaching a group of volunteers through a clean up, running awareness campaigns or going into schools as part of a project. All hands-on experiences help people to understand the issues with practical experiences.