Rising waters | Rooted solutions
Bringing York’s rivers to life through creativity and climate action
Ousewem has launched a new riverside project in York, designed to help people understand how rivers, landscapes and community action are shaping a more climate-resilient future.
Ousewem has launched a new riverside project in York, designed to help people reconnect with their local environment and understand how rivers, landscapes and community action are shaping a more climate-resilient future.
The route will tell the story of how flood resilience and nature-based solutions can make a difference, both upstream and in the city itself. From creative installations to educational resources, the project will invite residents, schools and visitors to see York’s rivers in a new light.
A creative approach to climate engagement
Delivered in partnership with creative consultancy Innovate Educate, the project will be co-designed with local people - embedding research, participation and place-based learning into every stage.
Karen Merrifield, Director of Innovate Educate says:
We believe creativity is a core part of climate resilience - not an afterthought.
“This project is about co-creating something that belongs to York’s communities. From schoolchildren to heritage professionals, everyone has a part to play in imagining a future shaped by care, connection and the river itself.”
This isn’t just about information. It's about involvement, giving people space to explore the role of rivers, land use and local leadership in building a better future.
From countryside to city: learning across the catchment
Ousewem’s work across the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse catchments is showing how natural flood management (NFM) can build flood resilience and restore habitats. This new route brings those lessons into the heart of York - helping people understand how upstream action supports city resilience, and how urban communities are also part of the story.
Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, added:
This project shows our commitment to working with York communities in visible and lasting ways. By telling the story of our rivers and the actions being taken to reduce flooding, we are helping people understand the value of nature-based solutions – not just in the countryside but here in the heart of the city.
Sharing stories, shaping partnerships
As well as engaging the public, the project aims to connect organisations across the city - from libraries and archives to schools, heritage groups and artists - building a shared platform for climate storytelling and place-based learning.
Opportunities for sponsorship may also be explored, helping unlock further investment in climate resilience and nature recovery across York and North Yorkshire.
What’s next?
We’re now looking for York-based schools interested in co-developing the programme over the 2025 and 2026 academic year. Working with artists, experts and heritage specialists, pupils will learn about the role of upstream land management, local wildlife, and community action in building climate resilience. They’ll also help shape how these river stories are shared with others – including through a new interpretation route being developed along the River Ouse between Clifton Ings and Naburn Lock.
The programme will be co-designed with participating schools during the 2025 and 2026 academic year, and will include:
- online planning support for teachers
- fully funded in-school workshops
- resources and expert input
- artist residencies where pupils co-create performances, animations or story-led pieces
This is an opportunity for schools to engage pupils with real-world environmental issues through creative, cross-curricular learning that supports existing curriculum goals.
If you would like to express interest or find out more, contact Karen at Innovate Educate on email: [email protected].
Engagement will continue with community groups and partners invited to shape how York’s river stories are shared.
Just as rivers connect people across the catchment, this project brings together rural landowners and urban residents in a shared conversation about living better with water.
We’ll be sharing more soon - and if your organisation would like to be involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Also see
