Communicating the importance of natural flood management to a global audience

US Army Engineer Research and Development Centre host virtual book launch for Engineering with Nature: An Atlas, Volume 2

Book features a Natural Course supported case study about natural flood management initiatives at Smithills and Low Leighton (New Mills)

A case study showing the benefits of natural flood management interventions installed at the Smithills site in Bolton and Low Leighton (New Mills), has been included in the recently published Engineering with Nature: An Atlas, Volume 2.  The book, published by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Centre, showcases project examples from the US and around the world, demonstrating what it means to partner with others and engineer with nature to deliver flood risk alleviation and wildlife restoration.

Natural Course has supported Mike Norbury, Project Manager at Mersey Forest* to demonstrate to local landowners, farmers and community stakeholders how natural flood management projects can work.

Mike says…

“This engagement allowed the project to gain momentum and traction. Through the partnership of the Woodland Trust, Local Authorities, the Environment Agency, and the Mersey Forest, hundreds of volunteers have supported the project, making the wide-spread natural flood management efforts possible.”

Mark Turner, Natural Course Team Leader at Greater Manchester Combined Authority says…

“Natural flood management interventions provide multiple benefits to both people and the environment, and complement other flood risk measures that are being delivered across Greater Manchester”.

David Brown, Senior Adviser in Flood Risk Management at the Environment Agency says…

“It’s great that the results of these Defra funded natural flood management interventions partnership projects are getting out to a wider audience”.

 The e-book can be downloaded for free at www.engineeringwithnature.org

*Note: Mersey Forest worked as part of the Community Forest Trust to deliver the Natural Course element of these projects.

For more information on our work in this area: Mobilising funds for multiple benefits and ecosystem services: Use of urban catchment forestry to deliver multiple ecosystem services in urban areas – Natural Course