What Forth Rivers Trust does

Forth Rivers Trust is a Scottish registered charity (SC040311) and company limited by guarantee (SC344935), founded in 2009 as the River Forth Fisheries Trust and renamed in 2018 to reflect its expanded mission. Headquartered in Edinburgh, the organization conserves and enhances freshwater habitats across the entire Forth catchment — covering 14 main river catchments flowing into the Firth of Forth and Forth Estuary — serving landowners, local communities, schools, local authorities (East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, Perth & Kinross Council), and corporate partners such as Diageo and SSEN Distribution.

Its core offering is a portfolio of nature-based restoration projects and programs rather than software products. Technically, the trust executes habitat restoration, natural flood management (leaky dams, large woody structures, floodplain reconnection), riparian tree planting, peatland restoration, wetland creation, invasive non-native species control (PA1/PA6AW LANTRA-certified chemical treatment for Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, American Skunk Cabbage), weir removal (including manual hand-tool methods), and catchment-scale planning supported by drone surveys, GIS/ArcGIS mapping, habitat baselining, biodiversity recording, and flood modelling. It also runs citizen-science platforms (Explore Your Local River, Report a Redd, Report an INNS via Survey123), educational programs (Fish in the Classroom reaching 18 schools annually, The Sustainable Catchment Podcast), and a 2045 strategic vision guiding long-term restoration goals.

The revenue model is non-profit and grant-dependent: primary funding comes from the Scottish Government, NatureScot's Nature Restoration Fund (£265,000 in 2024, £400,000+ in 2023), the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, EU MERLIN programme, and the European Open Rivers Programme, with additional revenue from individual donations and a commercial environmental consultancy arm, Forth Rivers Consulting Ltd. The go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven, with a board of trustees, a senior team led by Director Amelia Heath following Co-Director Jonathan Louis's July 2025 departure, and an 11–50-person staff operating across multiple catchments in Scotland.

Name

Forth Rivers Trust

Legal name

Forth Rivers Trust

Website

https://forthriverstrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forth Rivers Trust is a Scottish registered charity founded in 2009 that conserves and restores freshwater habitats across the Forth catchment, delivering river restoration, invasive species control, natural flood management, and community education programs for landowners, local authorities, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB), Riparian & Watershed Reforestation (Streambank Stabilization) (AFAMACAK)

Keywords

• River conservation
• Freshwater habitat restoration
• Catchment management
• Invasive species control
• Natural flood management

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grants and Funding: Forth Rivers Trust operates as a charitable organization funded primarily through grants from government bodies and foundations. Major funders include Scottish Government, NatureScot (Nature Restoration Fund), EU funding (MERLIN project), and charitable foundations such as Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Funding is project-based and supports specific initiatives like Allan Water Project, Leven LENs, and catchment restoration work.
2. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting river conservation. The trust maintains a donation option on their website for public support.
3. Consultancy Services: Forth Rivers Consulting Ltd operates as an environmental consultancy offering services to external clients, providing revenue through professional service engagements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Forth Rivers Trust restores and conserves freshwater habitats across the Forth catchment in Scotland through hands-on river restoration projects, invasive species control, natural flood management, peatland restoration, weir removal for fish passage, riparian tree planting, and wetland creation. The trust engages landowners, local communities, schools, government agencies, and corporate partners through citizen science tools, educational programs, and landscape-scale partnership initiatives such as the Leven LENs and Leven Catchment Collective.

Product overview

Forth Rivers Trust operates as a charitable environmental organization (not a technology company) offering a portfolio of river conservation and community engagement programs. The core offering comprises habitat restoration projects including the Allan Water Project and Morton Quarry Weir Removal for fish passage; Invasive Non-Native Species Control for ecosystem protection; and the Leven LENs and Leven Catchment Collective for sustainable land management. These are complemented by citizen science tools (Explore Your Local River, Report a Redd), educational programs (Fish in the Classroom, The Sustainable Catchment Podcast), and partnership initiatives (Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership, Forth Resilient Water Landscape Initiative). The organization focuses on nature-based solutions including tree planting, peatland restoration, natural flood management, and wetland creation across the Forth catchment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Allan Water Project Comprehensive river restoration initiative working with landowners to improve the Allan Water catchment through natural flood management, riparian tree planting, peatland restoration, and Water Framework Directive improvements. Part of EU MERLIN project for European-scale habitat restoration.
• Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Control Community-focused program controlling invasive plant species (Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, American Skunk Cabbage) and animals (American Mink, Signal Crayfish) along rivers within the Forth district since 2013. Includes volunteer coordination, training, equipment loans, and chemical treatment support using PA1/PA6AW LANTRA certified staff.
• Leven LENs (Landscape Enterprise Networks) Collaborative initiative matching investors with local activities that preserve and enhance the Leven catchment's natural assets. Led by Forth Rivers Trust in collaboration with 3Keel, bringing together businesses, farmers, and land managers to finance nature-based solutions for biodiversity and climate resilience.
• Leven Catchment Collective Collective bringing together farmers, land managers and community groups in the Leven Catchment to support thriving ecosystems, community wellbeing, and resilient businesses. Includes Community Springboard for nature groups and Farmer Network for agricultural collaboration.
• Morton Quarry Weir Removal Infrastructure removal project dismantling a 19th-century weir on the Linhouse Water (tributary of River Almond) to restore fish passage for migratory species including salmon, sea trout, brown trout and eel. Completed using hand-tools over 10 days without machinery access.
• Fish in the Classroom Educational initiative delivered to schools around the Forth District since 2009, engaging pupils in fish rearing and river release activities to foster stewardship of local waterways in young people.
• Explore Your Local River Online platform enabling citizens to explore rivers across the Forth catchment, submit photos of local waterways, and view community submissions on an interactive map to build understanding of river conditions.
• Report a Redd Reporting tool allowing citizens to report fish spawning redds (nests) spotted in rivers to Forth Rivers Trust via Survey123 forms for monitoring purposes.
• The Sustainable Catchment Podcast Podcast series produced by Forth Rivers Trust covering topics related to sustainable catchment management, river conservation, and environmental stewardship.
• Tracks to Tributaries Project exploring how nature-based solutions can be delivered alongside critical infrastructure to help rivers, wildlife and communities thrive together.
• Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership Multi-partner initiative comprising Forth Rivers Trust, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, NatureScot, SEPA, and Scottish Water to restore nature and address climate change in the Lothian Esk river catchment area using drone surveys, habitat baselining, and biodiversity recording.
• Forth Resilient Water Landscape Initiative (FRWLI) Initiative working with land managers across the Upper Forth catchment to increase climate resilience and optimize water resources for people and nature, led by Forth Rivers Trust in partnership with Carse of Stirling Partnership and Glasgow Caledonian University.
• Forth Rivers Consulting Ltd Environmental consultancy arm of Forth Rivers Trust offering fee-based professional environmental services to external clients, with distinctive values and connections in the Scottish environmental sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• River habitat improvements across multiple catchments including Allan Water, Almond, Avon, Leven
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carse of Stirling PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in the Forth Resilient Water Landscape Initiative working with land managers across the Upper Forth catchment.
• Glasgow Caledonian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner in Forth Resilient Water Landscape Initiative providing research support for nature-based solutions.
• 3KeelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sustainability consultancy that founded Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs). FRT collaborates with 3Keel to deliver the Leven LENs project, matching investors with local environmental activities.
• SRUCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Scotland's Rural College providing academic and advisory support for LENs programme scoping work in the Leven catchment.
• East Lothian CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Part of the Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership working on nature restoration and climate resilience in the North and South Esk catchments.
• Midlothian CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Part of the Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership contributing to the £91,000 Nature Restoration Fund project for catchment route mapping.
• SEPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Scottish Environment Protection Agency participates in the Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership, providing regulatory expertise and water environment guidance.
• Scottish WatercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Water services provider in the Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership contributing to coordinated catchment management and environmental improvement.
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National ParkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Funded and partnered on Morton Quarry Weir Removal and other conservation projects within the National Park boundary.
• Forth Rivers Consulting LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Environmental consultancy arm of the organization offering services to external clients, operating with distinctive values and connections in the sector.
• Blackford EstateminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Landowner partner in Danny Burn Tree Planting Project providing land for riparian woodland restoration.
• Highland SpringminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner providing volunteers for tree planting along Danny Burn as part of Allan Water Project.
• Fife Coast & Countryside TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for Invasive Species identification workshops within the Eden catchment in Fife.
• NatureScotcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Lead government agency partner for river restoration and nature conservation projects. NatureScot manages the Nature Restoration Fund and provides strategic guidance on conservation priorities. FRT works with NatureScot on MERLIN project delivery and multiple restoration initiatives across the Forth catchment.
• UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Research partner in the EU MERLIN project providing scientific expertise in freshwater and peatland habitat research and restoration methodology.
• James Hutton InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Research partner in MERLIN project contributing expertise in land use, water resources, and environmental science for Forth catchment restoration.
• Stirling UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Academic partner in MERLIN project providing research support and student engagement for catchment restoration work.
• EU MERLIN ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022EU-funded restoration project for freshwater and peatland habitats spanning 17 European case studies. The Firth of Forth is one of the case study areas, with works focusing on in-river restoration, riparian planting, floodplain reconnection, and peatland restoration.
• Forth District Salmon Fishery BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization focused on salmon fishery management in the Forth district.
• Fisheries Management ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body representing fisheries trusts and boards across Scotland.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• River Tay Foundation: Scottish charitable foundation focused on salmon and freshwater conservation in the Tay catchment. Directly comparable mission, governance (charity + fisheries board model), and catchment-scale restoration mandate.
• Westcountry Rivers Trust: Larger UK rivers trust operating across multiple catchments in the South West of England with a similar portfolio of habitat restoration, INNS control, natural flood management, and landowner engagement. Strong functional and operational analogue despite different geography.
• Solway Rivers Trust: Scottish-English cross-border rivers trust working on catchment restoration, riparian planting, and community engagement along the Solway Firth. Comparable small-charity catchment-delivery model.
• Tweed Foundation: Scottish rivers/fisheries trust delivering catchment-scale conservation, monitoring, and habitat restoration across the River Tweed system. Most structurally comparable peer — same Scottish trust model, same fisheries/river heritage, similar reliance on grants and project-based delivery.
• Spey Catchment Initiative: Multi-partner initiative coordinating conservation, land management, and monitoring across the River Spey catchment in Scotland. Closely aligned catchment-scale collaborative model and freshwater habitat focus.

Others

• NatureScot: Scottish Government nature agency — both a core funder of FRT and a regulator/partner on catchment work. Comparable on mission (conservation outcomes) but not a competitive peer; included as a key ecosystem participant.
• Forth District Salmon Fishery Board: Statutory fisheries management body for the Forth district. Closely related organisation with overlapping fish conservation mandate and shared governance history with FRT, but operates under separate statutory powers.

Broad incumbents

• Scottish Wildlife Trust: Larger Scotland-wide conservation charity operating nature reserves and advocacy. Competes for similar government and foundation grants and overlaps on freshwater/riparian habitat work, but with a broader terrestrial remit.
• RSPB Scotland: Major UK conservation NGO with significant Scotland operations, competing for similar NatureScot and foundation grants and overlapping on wetland and riparian habitat outcomes. Substantially larger resource base.
• The Rivers Trust (UK): UK-wide umbrella body representing the network of rivers trusts. Overlapping category leadership but operates as a national membership/advocacy organisation rather than catchment delivery.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ForthRiversTrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forth-rivers-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/forthriverstrust
• Xx.com/forthriverst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Forth Rivers Trust