The River Wye and its surrounding communities have been severely impacted by climate change, experiencing both summer droughts and winter flooding.

Conservation organizations have received £462,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to support farmers and communities in the area affected by climate change.

The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and the Radnorshire and Herefordshire Trusts have formed a partnership called Wye Adapt to Climate Change. They aim to reduce the impact of climate change and help those affected by funding various schemes.

Erratic winter rainfall has resulted in sudden increases in river levels, flash flooding in towns and rural areas, and the destruction of important river habitats. This has led to a loss of habitats, water shortages, problems for crops, and a decline in fish and other river animals.

The partnership plans to establish “community climate action networks” and work with landowners to explore nature-based solutions to climate change impacts. This includes holding water in the landscape for irrigation purposes.

Sarah King from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust highlights that extreme weather events have become the norm in the region, causing devastating effects on wildlife, farmers, and communities. The impacts of climate change are both immediate, such as flooding, and long-term, including pollution of waterways, damaged soils, and loss of wildlife.

The partnership’s efforts will initially span three years, aiming to address the urgent need for adaptation and resilience in the face of climate change.

H2 Funding for River Wye Communities to Adapt to Climate Change

EcoReporter: The River Wye and its surrounding communities have been awarded £462,000 in funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to support their efforts in adapting to the impacts of climate change. This funding will be used by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and the Radnorshire and Herefordshire Trusts, who have come together under the partnership name Wye Adapt to Climate Change.

The area has been severely affected by climate change, experiencing both summer droughts and winter flooding. These extreme weather events have had devastating effects, including the loss of habitats, water shortages, crop problems, and a decline in fish and other river animals. Erratic winter rainfall has also led to sudden increases in river levels, flash flooding in towns and rural areas, and the destruction of important river habitats.

To address these challenges, the partnership aims to establish “community climate action networks” and work closely with landowners to explore nature-based solutions. One such solution is the implementation of measures to hold water in the landscape for irrigation purposes, helping to mitigate the impacts of droughts.

Sarah King from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust emphasizes that extreme weather events have become increasingly common in the region, causing significant harm to wildlife, farmers, and communities. The impacts of climate change are not only immediate, such as flooding, but also long-term, including pollution of waterways, damaged soils, and the loss of wildlife.

The partnership’s efforts will span three years, during which they will work tirelessly to reduce the impact of climate change and support those affected. This funding represents a crucial step in building resilience and adaptation in the face of a changing climate.