Upper River Ems Walkover/Litterpick

Come join in this River Clean Up to clear up our River Ems!

Date: Wednesday 20th August

Timings: 9:30am - 12:30pm

Location: Stoughton Forest Car Park Stoughton, Chichester PO18 9JQ W3W: https://w3w.co/plugs.wicket.meatballs

Register: Secure your place using the eventbrite link.

What to bring: Necessary - Bring sturdy CLEAN wellies or boots (you will need wellies to enter the river, that you're happy to walk in all morning), sturdy gardening gloves and snacks/water.

What’s supplied: Litter picking equipment, light refreshments, hand sanitiser, knowledge of our fantastic River Ems!

Details: Meet at 9:30am for a quick introduction to the day and safety briefing. Please car share if possible. You are welcome to stay all morning or an hour or two but the work party begins at 9:30am for everyone.

But it’s not just about picking up litter. Plastic pollution breaks down into harmful microplastics that threaten wildlife and end up in our food chain. This is about rethinking our relationship with plastic and protecting the ecosystems we rely on.

Chalk streams are rarer than rainforests – the UK is home to 85% of them! The River Ems supports some of our most endangered wildlife, like:- European water voles- Divided sedge- Bullhead fish- European eels (down 95% in 40 years!)

CLEAN UP RULES

• There will be a safety briefing at the start of the event, please listen carefully and adhere to the guidelines. There will be a briefing by The Western Sussex Rivers Trust. Please listen carefully to their guidelines.
• Wear sturdy wellingtons, walking boots or steel toe-capped boots. Please ensure they are clean and dry to avoid bringing in any invasive species. We will be providing a boot washing station to avoid any invasive species entering the stream.
• Please bring 2 sets of clothes - a clean pair and one to wear in the river. All attendees should wear long sleeves and long trousers to protect their arms and legs from vegetation and associated insects in the channel. Dress for the weather - check the forecast in advance. If it's hot, wear sun cream, if it's raining bring a waterproof rain jacket and so on - layers are great.
• When we stop for lunch we will ask you to clean off your boots and change into clean footwear to avoid contaminating any food premises.
• We will also have a hand washing station to ensure you clean hands thoroughly before eating or entering The Harvester or other food premises.
• Only go where instructed to go on the day.
• Please bring your own drink and snack in a reusable container.
• Do not pick up anything sharp (broken glass, needles etc). Inform a host and we will remove it. We will have a sharps bin with us.
• Under 18's must be accompanied by a responsible adult, no children under 16 will be permitted due to the nature of the site and the type of rubbish that we will be picking up. FSF accepts no responsibility for minors attending the event.
• Participation is at the individual's own risk, but please report any incidents to the hosts.
• Do not put your hands anywhere near your face, especially your eyes or mouth during the clean. You never know what you may have touched and your gloves will probably be dirty.
• Return all equipment and litter to the collection/drop-off spot.
• Dogs are not permitted due to the type of clean up we are doing.
• Always be aware of traffic and moving vehicles.