Our programmes
Thriving wetland systems
Water is a core issue for nature and people in our catchments. Flooding, poor water quality, broken river connectivity and lost wetlands are critical problems. That's why we are building delivery programmes focused on water.
The first is 'Severn Wetlands'. Targeting the Severn and Warwickshire Avon floodplains, this multi-partner programme is supported by the NEIRF scheme. It will cover 140 miles of river bank and be developed in partnership with farmers. Our aim is to find new, economically viable uses for flooded land, building back biodiversity, helping slow river flows and storing more carbon.
image (c) Richard Hopkins
Woodland expansion
The Severn and Wye catchments contain areas of ancient woodland and some of the UK's most beautiful treescapes. However only 12% of the area is wooded, well short of government targets. That's why we are building delivery programmes focused on wood
The first aims to deliver a significant expansion in woodland cover, linking existing forests together. Working with farmers and multiple partners, we're aiming to use trees and hedges to improve biodiversity, increase carbon storage, improve soil quality and help slow the flow of water over the land - a key step in flood control.
Our context. A landscape shaped by rivers
Why the catchment focus?
Our area is highly connected, with our great rivers shaping ecological systems which flow over national and county boundaries. What happens in the headwaters affects people and wildlife for hundreds of miles downstream. We have the UK's longest river valley, rich woodland systems and nationally important surviving limestone meadows. By serving this connected catchment landscape, we can truly support nature's recovery.
About the Severn & Wye approach
The landscape is changing. Pressures of climate change, challenging farm finances, increasing storms and floods together with the biodiversity crisis mean new ways of working are needed.
At Severn & Wye Nature we believe there is common ground between the needs of farmers, nature and the ambitions of business and finance.
By bringing people together and initiating new, practical programmes we are working to deliver change
Image (c) Richard Hopkins
