Slowing the Flow
Pressures from climate change and human activity mean that floods have begun to occur more often and when they do occur result in more costly damage. As a result, traditional approaches to flood management are growing less and less effective. Slowing the Flow is working with nature rather than against it in a cost-effective and ecologically sound way.
With our partners at the Cheshire Wildlife Trust we used a number of techniques that work to restore a river’s natural flood defences to reduce downstream flooding. Rather than only combating the more traditional symptoms through the construction of costly and imposing concrete barriers we improved wetlands, floodplains, and riverbank woodlands. These are natures’ built in flood defences and through their restoration we worked to rehabilitate entire water systems, with far reaching benefits for all.
We worked with landowners and local residents to identify additional suitable areas for this project and where the impact would be the most far-reaching.
Learn more about how to help Slow the Flow in the South West Peak
Protecting the natural environment means taking special care not to damage, destroy or remove features such as rocks, plants and trees. They provide homes and food for wildlife!
The Cheshire hills are home to communities of fungal species which are grassland specialists. These communities can be valuable indicators of ancient grassland. Also, like their grassland habitat, they are threatened by improvement, disturbance, or cessation of management.