Rising waters | Rooted solutions
Delivering Ousewem – a journey of discovery and learning
Over the past year, the Ousewem delivery team has been deeply engaged in a journey of discovery and learning.
We've had the privilege of connecting with a diverse range of individuals, asking probing questions, and have been truly inspired by the willingness of people to share their time and expertise with us.
Fieldwork and education
Our journey has taken us through soggy fields, alongside babbling becks, and into countless webinars and seminars. From discussions on Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) to navigating the intricacies of post-Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) agriculture, we've left no stone unturned in our quest for knowledge. We’ve gone on farm walkovers and learnt about soil health with experts like Neils Corfield. We’ve genned up on conservation grazing, Construction Design Management regulations, types of rain gauges, biodiversity net gain, and which are the best water quality testing kits to use. We’ve even held a newborn lamb for the first time and become well-acquainted with the whereabouts of public conveniences in the Dales! Most of all we have been falling in love with our patch and the people who live and work in it.
Pilot projects and collaboration
A significant portion of our time has been dedicated to developing pilot projects in collaboration with forward-thinking landowners. We're immensely grateful for their partnership and enthusiasm in enhancing their land for various reasons. Together, we've co-designed initiatives tailored to fit their farming practices and funding opportunities. From large estates to small upland farms, our pilot projects encompass a diverse range of landholdings and management approaches. We're excited to install ponds, scrapes, hedgerows, riverside tree planting and leaky wooden barriers in watercourses as part of our efforts to improve flood resilience and will be delivering the first of these schemes over summer 2024.
Innovative tools and partnerships
Simultaneously, we've been working closely with our partners at JBA and the University of York to develop innovative tools and models. These resources enable us to identify areas where interventions can have the greatest impact on flood resilience for communities, homes, and businesses.
Delivering resilience
Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) are thrilled to serve as the delivery partners for the Ousewem project and are eager to collaborate with you to enhance the resilience of our catchment area. From securing funding to managing project logistics and obtaining necessary permits, we're committed to overseeing every aspect of project delivery. Participating landowners will receive an initial signing-on payment, Additionally, installing Natural Flood Management features may enhance eligibility for forthcoming Sustainable Farming Incentive options.
Get Involved
Curious to learn more? Get in touch with our dedicated delivery team.
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