Stakeholders are vital to the success of all NFM projects. These can include a group, an organisation, a community or an individual. This topic brings together any material related to stakeholders such as stakeholder engagement principles and techniques, project management structures and information from intermediaries. It can also include a mix of experiences and lessons learnt from the view point of a stakeholder.
Peatland restoration is important for storing and sequestering carbon, improving water quality and attenuating downstream flood risk. The Dunruchan Farm Peatland Restoration Project has delivered 48.2ha of restored upland blanket bog located in the Knaik sub catchment of the Allan Water, Perthshire.
A new film is being previewed online which gives an extensive overview of the role of Natural Flood Management. The film, directed by Andy Clark, covers topics such as the evidence, the role of communities and the role of landmanagers in working with Natural Flood Management. The film website gives information of viewings that may be taking place near you and a detailed film 'snippet' library. The library contains real stories told by active stakeholders working with NFM. It is supported by a number of institutes who are working closely with Natural Flood Management network Scotland.
The European Environment Agency have issued a statement highlighting the importance of restoring floodplains and wetlands to offer value for money solutions to flooding. This comes out of the latest publication on "Green Infrastructure and flood management - promoting cost-efficient flood risk reduction via green infrastructure solutions" which outlined series of challenges and opportunities of using more Nature Based Solution approaches. There are six detailed case studies in the report. More details can be found in the link below.
A manual has been released on soil management with respect to Natural Flood Management, specifically for soils in the Devon and Cornwall region (however, findings have wider applicability). The document, authored by Richard Smith from the Environment Agency (and supported by Devon County Council, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, FWAG South West and South West Water) aims to improve understanding on the potential of soil in the region to infiltrate rainfall thereby reducing surface runoff.
The Environment Agency for England and Wales recently published various outputs from the Working with Natural Processes (WWNP) project. The project looked at mechanisms to reduce flood hazards by using natural techniques in catchments and coasts. The project is underpinned by an extensive literature review which collated all known available knowledge within the UK and also drew upon relevant international literature. This literature has been synthesized into one location allowing it to be accessible to flood risk planners and other interested bodies.
In 1937, a 100+ year recurrence interval flood eroded a ~60 m long section of the 18th Century levee (flood embankment) on the Allanmore floodplain west of Braemar.
The need for ‘catchment wide’ management of the Spey was formally recognised in the 2003 Spey Catchment Management Plan, which provided a strategic framework for the wise and sustainable use of the whole water resource. An updated and reviewed Spey Catchment Management plan was published in 2016.
Within the Tarland catchment there are historic problems with both flooding and water quality. Since the year 2000 there have been many projects, carried out by local organisations designed to investigate and solve the problems of diffuse pollution and water management within the catchment.
The aim of the Eddleston project is to assess the impact of restoring natural features and processes on both flood attenuation and the ecology of the river, and also to provide empirical evidence with which to assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented. At the same time, a key element is to work with landowners, farmers and the local community so as to maintain the sustainability of land management at all times.
The main focus of this project is to collect empirical data to determine how NFM can be used as a flood management tool and to identify other multiple benefits such as improved habitat.