The Trust is a member of the Association of River Trusts and works with the local community throughout the catchment of the Wear from the source in Upper Weardale to the coast to conserve, protect, restore and improve the rivers and streams of the catchment.

A key aim of the Trust is to advance the education of the public and all statutory and voluntary organisations on the understanding of rivers including their fauna, flora, economic or social activity and the need and benefits of conservation, restoration and improvement of rivers, streams and stillwaters.

The Trust was created in January 2009 through the merger of the River Wear Environmental Trust and The Weardale Environmental Trust and will continue with many of the type of projects carried out by those two Trusts.