Our vision

Status

The Severn and Wye catchments are nationally important landscapes, shaped by rivers and offering untapped potential for people, nature and the economy.

But they are landscapes in peril, made worse by our rapidly changing climate and leading to loss for people and nature.

An increasing number of stakeholders from many backgrounds now agree addressing these challenges is urgent.  Collective, holistic vision and sustained long term approaches are needed to deliver a richer, more resilient landscape and unlock huge social, economic and environmental benefits for all.

Our vision for 2030

Our vision is that the way the landscape is managed will change, delivering thriving natural environments which underpin the wellbeing of all who live, work in or visit this special place, now and in future generations:

• Hydrological function will be restored across huge river systems to address increasing flood risk to homes and businesses, declining water quality and reduced summer availability.
• Housing and economic growth will be delivered in ways which reduce flood risk, enhance biodiversity and provide opportunities for all to access nature close to where they live.
• The way land is farmed will have developed, to deliver more public benefits alongside sustainable, climate-resilient food production.
• Natural connectivity will have increased, bridging the gaps which have accelerated the decline in habitats and species.

Strategy

Our strategy to realise this vision is to:

• Work in an innovative, open and collaborative way as an alliance in accord with our MOU
• Convene partners from all sectors to design and develop landscape scale programmes which:
  • Deliver material benefit to nature
  • Support the goals of other stakeholders including farmers and the people who live in and visit the land
  • Significantly increase funding for nature recovery, from government, philanthropists and business.