Rising waters | Rooted solutions
Building flood resilience together: Ousewem's latest engagement events
We recently connected with farmers and community members in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale to discuss how nature-based solutions (NbS) can help reduce flood risk while enhancing local landscapes.
Building flood resilience together: Ousewem’s latest engagement events
At Ousewem, we believe that collaboration is key to building a flood-resilient future. We’ve recently connected with farmers, landowners, and community members in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale to discuss how nature-based solutions (NbS) can help reduce flood risk while enhancing local landscapes.
From in-depth discussions at the monthly Sustainable Swaledale meeting to a pie and peas night in Reeth, these events have been a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge, answer questions, and explore how we can work together to make a lasting impact.
Engaging with communities on natural flood management
Ousewem’s recent events brought together a range of people who share a common interest: protecting our landscapes and communities from the increasing risks of flooding and other climate change hazards.
Sustainable Swaledale Meeting – a community-driven approach
On 6 March, we were delighted to join Sustainable Swaledale’s open-access meeting at Arkengarthdale Hub. Residents had the opportunity to learn more about Ousewem’s flood modelling efforts and see how we’re implementing natural flood management (NFM) solutions in the area.
Margaret Feetham, Sustainable Swaledale, said:
"It was fantastic to hear how Ousewem is using detailed modelling to understand how water moves through our landscapes. Combining this data with local knowledge is crucial in identifying where natural flood management can be most effective. Seeing these insights inform real-world solutions is an exciting step forward for our communities."
Arkengarthdale is one of Ousewem’s recently announced focus catchments , and we are keen to engage with local landowners and communities to explore how NFM can support flood resilience in the area.
Pie and peas night – opportunities for farmers and landowners
On 10 March, we welcomed farmers and landowners to The Buck in Reeth for an evening focused on fully funded NFM opportunities, grant support, and expert advice on SFI applications. Attendees met with Ousewem’s delivery team and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s (YDNPA) Farm Conservation Advisers to explore how NFM can complement their land management.
Hannah Fawcett, YDNPA Farm Conservation Adviser, highlighted the unique opportunity for collaboration:
"By working together, we can tailor NFM solutions that not only help reduce flood risk but also support farm productivity and biodiversity. This is an exciting time for landowners to explore how nature-based solutions can benefit their land and their business."
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us. It was also great to see farmers connecting with each other, sharing insights and experiences.
A highlight of the evening was hearing from Nick, landowner and farmer at The Cragg and Carr in Appersett, who shared his experiences of implementing NFM on his land. Working with Ousewem, his project introduced leaky dams, scrapes, and tree and hedge planting—measures that are reducing flood risk while enhancing biodiversity. His success is a great example of how tailored solutions can deliver real benefits on the ground.
Amanda Crossfield, Ousewem’s NFM Delivery Manager, reflected on the evening:
"We’re keen to connect with willing farmers and develop bespoke NFM projects that work for them—at no cost to them. Events like this are invaluable for sparking new collaborations, and we’re grateful to Nick for sharing his experiences. We are also pleased to continue our partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), whose expertise helps us support farmers in creating more resilient landscapes but also by providing expert advice on grants and support for SFI applications."
Get involved – future opportunities
Ousewem’s work is growing, and we’re looking for more farmers and landowners to join us. If you have land in Arkengarthdale, Masham, Bishop Monkton, Appersett, Gayle, Hawes, or Hunton that struggles with wet or unproductive areas, we may be able to help by funding fencing, gates, or other infrastructure, supporting NFM interventions.
- contact us at [email protected] to explore tailored NFM solutions for your land
- subscribe to our newsletter for updates and success stories
- volunteer and make a direct impact in your local area
Ousewem is also proud to be sponsoring the upcoming regional NFM COP in April. This event reinforces our commitment to building flood resilience through collaboration across the region, connecting local communities, partners, and experts to advance natural flood management solutions. We look forward to sharing insights and updates from the event in a future blog as we continue working together to protect our communities.
Finally, keep an eye out for our flood resilience campaign in Hawes, Reeth and Bishop Monkton - from posters to beer mats, we’re spreading the word about how NFM can benefit both communities and landscapes.
Together, we can build a more flood-resilient future.
