4 October 2021
Woodlands for Water

Mid Norfolk and its landscapes have so much to offer us – and the beautiful Wensum Valley is just one such example. From the river to the wonderful flora and fauna, it has got it all!

That’s why I was delighted to be introduced to a new government backed scheme called ‘Woodland for Water’ – a project designed to facilitate the creation of riparian woodland corridors.

This project is a collaboration between Defra and the Riverscapes Partnership, a consortium of four Trusts: The Rivers Trust, National Trust, Woodland Trust, and Beaver Trust. The project will be operating nationally on the National Trust estate and in six river catchments across the country including Bure, Glaven, Stiffkey, Wensum, Heacham, Lark, Gaywood, and Wissey.

The benefits of planting trees along riverbanks, or allowing them to grow naturally, are many and vast. It can help to improve water quality by blocking the runoff of pollutants into rivers; manage flood risks by slowing the flow of water; boost biodiversity by creating extensive and well-connected new habitat corridors; it can help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon; and it can boost climate resilience by providing shade.

I am delighted to see this project reaching Mid Norfolk, and I look forward to supporting further such initiatives in the months and years ahead.

To learn more click : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reduce-flood-risk-with-the-woodlands-for-water-scheme