How can trees, healthier soils and better land management help reduce flooding? That’s what we explored with local farmers and landowners at a recent workshop in Cowpe.
Flooding is a challenge for communities across the River Irwell catchment. But changes to how we manage land upstream can help slow the flow of water, while bringing benefits for farming and wildlife.
We recently teamed up with Groundwork to host a workshop in Cowpe, bringing together local landowners and organisations offering advice, funding and practical support.
Alongside the Environment Agency, we shared information about how natural flood management could work across the Upper Irwell catchment, with a focus on the opportunities available to landowners and what needs to be considered when putting measures into practice.
What is natural flood management?
Natural flood management (NFM) works with natural processes to slow and store water before it reaches rivers.
On farmland, this might mean improving soil structure, planting in-field trees and shelterbelts, creating areas of scrub or encouraging more diverse grassland.
These measures can help reduce flood risk locally and further downstream along the River Irwell. They can also improve water quality, create habitats for wildlife and support the long-term resilience of farms.
So, what does natural flood management look like in practice? Here are five key messages we shared at the workshop.
- The right approach depends on the land
Every farm is different, so understanding how the land is used is an important starting point.
Soil, slope, drainage and current land use all influence which natural flood management measures are likely to work best.
During the workshop, landowners raised practical questions about how changes could fit around grazing, access and existing farm agreements.
Working directly with landowners helps us identify opportunities that are suitable for their land and how it’s managed.
- Small changes can make a difference across a wider catchment
No single measure will solve flooding on its own.
However, planting trees in the right places and improving how land holds water can help slow the flow during periods of heavy rainfall.
The Environment Agency shared examples of natural flood management projects already taking place nearby, showing how changes on individual farms can contribute to reducing flood risk across a wider area.
When planned across a catchment, these measures can complement more traditional flood defences and help reduce the impact of flooding on communities downstream.
- The benefits go beyond flood management
Natural flood management isn’t just about reducing flood risk.
Well-planned tree planting can provide shelter for livestock, improve water quality and create habitats for wildlife.
For farmers, it’s important that any changes work alongside the day-to-day running of their business. Planting trees in the right places can bring additional benefits without necessarily taking land out of productive use.
This was an important part of the conversations in Cowpe, where we discussed how tree planting can support farming while contributing to natural flood management.
- Funding and support can help landowners get started
A key part of the workshop was making sure landowners knew what funding and practical support was available to them.
We introduced our Farmer Resilience Fund, which supports woodland creation and in-field tree planting through Trees for Climate funding.
Designed in partnership with farmers, the fund provides support with designing and planting schemes, alongside long-term establishment payments to help new trees thrive.
Groundwork also talked through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and the land management actions it may support.
Landowners had the opportunity to ask questions about eligibility, how funding works and the steps involved in turning an initial idea into a project on the ground.
- Working together is an important part of natural flood management
Natural flood management often involves different landowners and organisations, so sharing knowledge and working together can help make projects more effective.
The workshop brought together local landowners with organisations that could offer advice and practical support.
It also gave landowners the opportunity to ask questions about their own land and arrange follow-up calls or site visits to explore potential projects.
By working with farmers and landowners across the Upper Irwell, we can help identify opportunities that make sense for individual holdings while contributing to natural flood management across the wider catchment.
What’s next for the Upper Irwell?
The Cowpe workshop was part of our wider work to support farmers and landowners across the Upper Irwell catchment.
We’ll continue these conversations, helping landowners explore opportunities for tree planting that work for their land and contribute to reducing flood risk.
Interested in planting trees on your land?
Through our Farmer Resilience Fund, we offer funding and practical support for woodland creation and in-field tree planting.
Get in touch with our team to find out more.