The Tweed Forum has opened nominations for its 2026 River Champion Award, inviting residents of the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland to put forward people whose work has made a sustained contribution to the health and heritage of the River Tweed.
Who can be nominated
The award, established in 2016, recognises individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who protect and enhance the river and its tributaries. Nominations are welcomed from people involved in farming, forestry, angling, conservation, education and community activities, whether their contribution is through paid work, volunteering or personal commitment.
- Open to nominees across the Tweed catchment: from land managers to volunteers.
- Previous winners have worked on woodland restoration, riverfly monitoring, invasive species control and historic building conservation.
- Nominations aim to highlight the broad ways individuals support the river’s ecological and cultural values.
Why the award matters
The River Tweed is among the United Kingdom’s most significant river systems. The catchment covers approximately 5,000 km², with about 86% in Scotland and 14% in England. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, and its network of tributaries includes the Teviot, Ettrick, Gala and Leader Waters, the Whiteadder and the River Till.
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Catchment area | 5,000 km² |
| Percentage in Scotland | 86% |
| Estimated annual economic contribution | £24 million |
| Jobs supported | More than 500 |
The Tweed supports livelihoods across a largely rural region and provides recreational and cultural benefits as well as ecological value.
“Looking after a river as special as the Tweed relies on the dedication of many people who often work quietly behind the scenes.”
The Tweed Forum cites examples of previous winners whose work has strengthened habitat, tackled pollution and improved public understanding of the catchment. The 2025 award was made to Peeblesshire farm manager Matt Griffin, recognised for nature-inspired farming practices that increase land resilience and encourage biodiversity in the upper catchment.
Local impact and practical information
For communities across Midlothian and the wider catchment, the award is a way to shine a light on local action that might otherwise go unnoticed. Nominating someone can also amplify efforts to secure funding, partnerships or volunteer support for river projects.
Anyone considering a nomination should gather concise examples of the nominee’s contribution — such as habitat work, monitoring, community engagement or measures to reduce pollution — and check the Tweed Forum’s nomination guidance for deadlines and submission procedures.
The award underlines the role of individuals in safeguarding a river system that crosses political and administrative boundaries, and aims to celebrate the many, often quiet, contributions that sustain the Tweed’s environmental and cultural values.
