We are excited to announce a new benefit for our members' continued support of the River Restoration Centre. As part of our goals to build capacity for catchment-scale restoration, strengthen links between science and practice, and to exchange knowledge, we are giving all RRC members full access to our Catchment Planning Template. This template is based on years of learning and feedback gained from our project advice, project delivery, training, and research. Much of this learning culminated in our paper published as part of the River Restoration Special Edition, which you can read and download in open access.
- How can you use this template?
- It is a spreadsheet you can download using the link below. There are three versions depending on the type of survey data you want to integrate (RHS, RHS with advanced indices, or MoRPh). There is also an examples file which contains filled-in sections of the template.
- Each year we will change the link and update a new version of the template for you to use.
- You can access it for as long as you are a member.
- Can you edit the template?
- Yes, you can edit any part of the template to suit the needs of your catchment.
- You can delete parts, add elements, or turn it into a report format if that is easier for you. We recommend you follow the principles outlined in our paper, but the application is up to you
- Can you share the template?
- Please don’t share the original template or link outside of your organisation or catchment partnership. This is a members-only benefit provided in appreciation of your support to the RRC.
- However, the final plan is yours, so you can share that with anyone you like.
- Is there support available for using it?
- Yes, members can use their included advice hours to email questions.
- You can also include RRC in funding bids for the development and delivery of your catchment plan. This can include undertaking some of the assessments, sitting on advisory groups, or having 1-to-1 sessions to advise you on applying best practice catchment planning principles. Please email us if you are interested.
- We run a training course on the principles behind this template and how to apply them. This is available as a publicly open course, or as a bespoke private course - Developing a Catchment-wide Restoration Plan
- Do I need to cite RRC in my plan?
- You don’t have to, but it helps us if you acknowledge RRC in your plans, reports, and presentations. It may bring more members to our community and allow us to continue developing resources like this. You can cite us in the following ways:
- The template: ‘The River Restoration Centre . 2026. RRC Catchment Planning Template.’
- The methodology: ‘Robins, J.E., Naura, M., Austin, S., Bryden, A., Cullis, J., Prady, J., Shi, F. and Treves, R., 2025. A new framework for river restoration planning at catchment scale in the UK. River Research and Applications, 41(1), pp.82-107.’
Download links were sent to the main membership contact for each organisation. If you are a member and haven't received your download link, email us and we will send it to you.
