River Leven

The River Leven runs through the area that Climate Action and Stokesley covers for nearly 30 miles from its source above Kildale to where it joins the River Tees near Yarm.

We are currently involved with improving the quality of the water and the biodiversity in and around the river and learning how to adapt to the impact of heavier and more frequent storms resulting from climate change:

Floodplain Meadow

The most recent State of Nature report (2019) shows that the UK is one of the most nature depleted nations in the world, it has lost almost 50% of its wildlife. The report also highlights that climate change is driving widespread changes in the abundance, distribution and ecology of England’s wildlife. Therefore, to help ecosystems and biodiversity, Climate Action Stokesley and Villages (CASaV) are working with several local councils on projects to improve the biodiversity of the area e.g. the floodplain meadow project in Great Ayton.

Great Ayton Parish Council, in conjunction with its Brighten Up Great Ayton group, worked on a 2-year project to create a floodplain meadow on riverside land behind the old Friends School. For more information about the project and ongoing work go to the Floodplain Meadow page.

Flood Resilience

An informative session on Flood Resilience provided by Frayer Fletcher – Flood Resilience (Environment Agency) and Jason Wainwright – Emergency Planning Officer (North Yorkshire Council) happened on Tuesday 20^th January 2026 in The Globe Community Library, North Road, Stokesley.

We found out what Flood Resilience means and looks like for us and our communities and learnt about what is already underway in the Stokesley and villages area. We were encouraged to make a difference by getting involved with our local Community Flood Groups.

Visit our Flood Resilience page for a summary of the information provided and useful links.

Himalayan Balsam

An introductory meeting was held in January 2026 with about 13 people in attendance. The objective is to control balsam on the River Leven and tributaries from its source in Kildale to Crathorne. People are already working to reduce the extent of balsam on the river but there are significant areas of balsam for example between Great Ayton and Stokesley that need to be worked on.

We are working with the Tees River Trust and we will receive training in identifying young balsam and distinguishing between balsam, ground elder and dog mercury. Later on in the year we will also be given training on removing the balsam during a mass ‘bashing’ session.

If anyone is interested in joining the group please email the project. This same email can be used if you are aware of patches of balsam on the Leven, Tame or other tributaries above Crathorne.

Riverbank Erosion

CASaV members have been active in monitoring flooding locally. Following this winters heavy rain, Jenny highlighted the risk to the safe access to Holme’s Bridge on a popular footpath over the River Leven at Little Ayton. Jenny raised this with Great Ayton Parish Council and Helen contacted the River Leven Sub-Group Partnership as she represents CASaV on the partnership. As a result Tees Rivers Trust have put in some measures to help stabilise the bank and re-direct the flow. Members of CASaV are monitoring the situation on a regular basis and sending photos both to Tees Rivers Trust and North Yorkshire Council’s Footpaths team.

Water Quality

Some of our members are taking part in these citizen projects looking at what you observe about a local river and testing the water quality.

Big River Watch between 24^th and 30^th April 2026 – survey your river with the Big River Watch app to help restore rivers across the UK and Ireland.

Great UK Waterblitz is a biannual campaign calling on everyone to go out and test the quality of their local freshwater including rivers, streams and lakes. This helps to build a picture of water quality across the UK. The Great UK WaterBlitz is part of the ongoing FreshWater Watch citizen science monitoring programme.