River Avon Gets 'Contract' With Humans

A groundbreaking charter has been signed to recognize the rights of the Bristol Avon river, marking a significant milestone in the campaign to protect and preserve the waterway. The Avon bioregional charter of river rights (ABCRR) was publicly signed by councillors, environmental groups, river guardians, and members of the public at Parade Gardens in Bath on World Rivers Day.

The charter establishes the river's rights to exist, thrive, and evolve naturally, to flow sustainably, to not be polluted, to preserve its biodiversity, and to aim for regeneration and restoration. This move is part of a larger national and international movement to establish legal rights and stronger agency for nature.

The Avon pilgrimage, which took place over eight days and covered about 100 miles from the source of the river to the point at which it reaches the sea, played a significant role in raising awareness and building support for the charter. A group of 12 people gathered at Joyce's Pool, one of the sources of the Bristol River Avon, and took the first steps of the inaugural Avon pilgrimage.

The ABCRR has been endorsed by nine councils, including Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol City, and North Somerset. This development is seen as a breakthrough for the annual pilgrimage and wider Avon campaigning. The Avon bioregional movement represents a new model for upholding charter rights.

## What it means The signing of the charter is a significant step forward in recognizing the importance of protecting and preserving the natural world. River charters like the ABCRR are part of a growing trend, with about 40 river charters emerging in the UK since the Sussex River Ouse became the first in England to have its rights recognised by a local authority in February 2025. While river charters do not replace statutory duties, create legal obligations, or explain how compliance will be enforced, they represent a new way of thinking about the relationship between humans and the natural world.

## Why it matters The recognition of the Bristol Avon's rights has significant implications for the way we think about and interact with the natural world. By establishing a 'contract' between humans and the river, the charter highlights the importance of preserving and protecting the environment for future generations. This development is not just significant for the Bristol Avon, but also for the wider movement to establish legal rights and stronger agency for nature.