Since 2016 we have been working in partnership with Lewes District Council and Sussex Wildlife Trust to deliver interventions in both rural and urban areas through the Ouse Valley NFM Project. With our current focus being on the Bevern Stream, Longford Stream, and delivering the Urban Wetland Network
For the Bevern Stream and Longford Stream our focus is on a range of natural flood management interventions, from slowing the flow with ditch blocking and leaky dams to temporarily retaining water through floodplain connectivity and habitat such as scrapes. River restoration has a key role in reducing flood risk. Re-naturalising and re-wiggling our straightened and over-deep watercourses are two ways in which we can help downstream communities. Tree planting and hedgerow creation form part of our programme of works and increase connectivity, provide river shade and improve our rates of carbon sequestration alongside reducing the impact of flooding.
We are providing free support and advice to landowners on options for new features or alternative land management which seeks to reduce compaction and increase filtration into the ground, great not just for slowing flow during heavy rainfall but also instrumental in drought resilience and improving the quality of the catchment's soils.