Rewilding and Nature Recovery
Natural flood management, green infrastructure, and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are terms that can be used to describe a variety of nature-based solutions for watery problems. Water-related green infrastructure can also be referred to as blue infrastructure.
Using nature-based solutions where possible is important, because as well as being in a climate crisis and severely water stressed area, Essex is also suffering from loss of species, a loss of habitat and increased habitat fragmentation.
Nature-based feature like wetlands, ponds, new hedge lines and leaky dams slow flow and prevent flooding, they can also filter contaminated runoff and treat water quality issues. The added benefits are new habitat to support our nature and biodiversity, carbon capture to help combat climate change, and amenity value for local community health and wellbeing.
This video about beaver reintroduction at Spain Hall Estate in Essex is a great example of a nature-based solution.
Here one of our water companies Anglian Water explain the multiple benefits of wetlands and how they are using them.
Essex County Council have also installed many natural flood management schemes with leaky dams in Essex.
‘Changing land use for water’ is one of the main themes of the Water Strategy for Essex. Much of what we need to do, particularly to enhance water quality, relies on this. Find the Essex County Council full Climate Action Plan and Essex Strategy for Water here.
A Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Essex is also in development which will include a map of key opportunity areas for freshwater and combined habitats.
