Forth Rivers Trust

About Forth Rivers Trust

Forth Rivers Trust is a Scottish environmental charity and company limited by guarantee that works across the Forth catchment to protect, conserve, and enhance freshwater habitats. Established in 2009 and renamed in 2018 from the River Forth Fisheries Trust, it has broadened from a primary focus on salmon and sea trout to a more holistic approach that includes rivers, wildlife, catchments, and the communities that depend on them.

The Trust positions itself as a practical, science-led organisation that combines fieldwork, restoration, education, and community engagement. Its long-term vision is for the rivers and wildlife of the Forth to be healthy, naturally functioning, free from pollution and barriers, and supporting both biodiversity and local wellbeing by 2045.

Core Values

• Healthy rivers and wildlife: The Trust’s work is centred on restoring rivers so they can support native species, functioning habitats, and resilient ecosystems across the Forth catchment.
• Science-led decision making: It emphasises robust scientific evidence, data collection, and research to guide conservation work, target restoration, and inform policy and management.
• Community engagement: The Trust aims to involve local people through volunteering, learning, and outdoor activities so communities can enjoy, understand, and help care for rivers.
• Partnership working: It works closely with boards, public bodies, universities, land managers, and local groups to deliver projects and influence river management at local and national levels.
• Fair work and inclusion: The Trust states that it is committed to being a living wage employer and supports fair work principles, flexible working, and a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Unique Aspects

• Catchment-wide remit: The Trust works across the wider Forth catchment rather than focusing only on fish, reflecting a broader approach to rivers, wildlife, and communities.
• Strong scientific capability: It has an in-house science team that carries out year-round data collection, monitoring, and research to support practical conservation and management.
• Established partnerships: The Trust works closely with the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board, is a member of Fisheries Management Scotland, and collaborates with Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park on restoration and planning.
• Education flagship: Fish in the Classroom is presented as the Trust’s flagship learning programme for primary schools, linking river ecology with curriculum-based learning.
• Volunteer-enabled delivery: Many of its conservation activities are designed to involve volunteers directly, including corporate groups, which helps extend delivery capacity and community ownership.