Founder of the Voices of Water Foundation (VoW), Emmeline Hardisty, believes that Rivers should be recognised as entities, living beings, under Environmental Law, and granted river rights, acted on behalf of by river guardians, for their better protection.
In the UK, Rivers are currently treated as ‘objects’ under Environmental Law, as property solely for our benefit, which, in reality, provides more ‘doorways’ for harm and misuse. Em believes this needs to change, and with the support of her VoW trustees has launched a petition calling the UK government, starting in England, to grant Rivers and Drowned River Valleys (Rias) Legal Personhood (legal recognition).
To share the word about the petition and gather signatures, Em has undertaken a river pilgrimage (currently at 89 days of walking and counting), which has taken her to many paths alongside Rivers and the Coast. Beginning at her home river and the source of inspiration for her campaign, the Helford River in Cornwall, Em’s pilgrimage has incorporated sections of Cornwall’s South West Coast Path past St Michael’s Mount and on to meet the River Hayle, going inland to meet differing sections of the River Camel and Tamar, sections of the River Dart on Dartmoor and onto the Jurassic section of Coast Path where she met many River mouths and other Rivers along the way such as the Otter, Axe, Exe and Bru.
After which she went inland, heading to Glastonbury and onto Bristol, exploring sections of the Frome and Avon along the way, and made her way to meet the River Severn, crossing into Wales. After venturing to the Wye Valley and onto the Brecon Beacons waterfalls and walking alongside the River Neath, Em walked along the South Wales Coast Path back to England and is currently walking the Thames National Trail.
“So far, my favourite South West Coast Path stretch has been the Jurassic Coast, climbing up Golden Cap and marvelling at the gold and red earth along the coastline, and meeting many rivers at their mouth along the way.”
With over 17 rivers and estuaries on the South West Coast Path that need to be crossed or navigated around, they are an integral and beautiful part of the Coast Path environment and experience.
You can check out more on the VoW mission and sign the petition at voicesofwaterfoundation.org
Follow the journey on Instagram @voicesofwaterfoundation
About Emmeline
Emmeline’s experiences in nature became a large part of her education. She achieved a first-class BSc (hons) in Applied Zoology, & a Research Master’s (MRes) in Marine Biology. Nearing the end of her master’s in 2021 a reflective moment by the river directed Emmeline into the realm of documentary filmmaking, with which she began investigating the root of river and river estuary issues in the UK, environmentally and systemically. Her investigations led to the creation of a short film entitled Veins of the Earth (VOTE) in 2024, and the formation of a local documentary filmmaking company called Root and River Creative.
Amidst her filmmaking, her research not only led to the depths of a system that just isn’t working, but to the words she feels drive disconnect, from us and Mother Earth, Nature, Rivers, treated as ‘objects’ under UK Environmental law. This led Emmeline to form the Voices of Water Foundation, making her first VoW to the Helford River she loves and lives by, and curating the first ‘tributary’ mission.
World Rivers Day – 28th September 2025
A celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead.
Find out more https://worldriversday.com/about/
Photo: Camel Estuary from Daymer Bay, North Cornwall. By Abbi Pitt
The South West Coast Path 