Meet the River Foss Society, river walks and health of the river - Yorkshire Day 2026 : Step into Nature and History within York's City Walls

The River Foss Society is a group of volunteers dedicated to improving the river and its environment for all to enjoy. We monitor the health of the river by several means, and some of the macroinvertebrates used to evaluate it will be there to discover. York City Council's boat Foxy will be passing by carrying some of our members doing one of the litterpicks we organise quarterly. Our other activities such as balsam control, chemical monitoring, walks will also be highlighted.

About the Stepping Stones Trail

Timed to celebrate Yorkshire Day, in collaboration with St Nicks and other York partners, the Step into Nature and History Within York’s City Walls 'Stepping Stones Trail' is centred around our iconic walls. Uncover the hidden connections between nature, heritage and historic spaces within the city. Designed to be enjoyed at your own pace (the whole thing can be completed in one go, or as a hop-on/hop-off with a break for a pub or picnic lunch and a spot of shopping), highlights include a Small Mammal Survey at the Museum Gardens, art displays at Foss Islands Wildflower Area and Station Rise, York Minster’s City Walls Nature Trail and North Yorkshire’s first floating ecosystem at North Street Gardens.

See the Festival website listing for other events on the day Other events on the day