The Trust is asking who has experienced flooding in their local area and what the public feel about the flood risk in the future. The surveys will arrive by post this week and the aim is to gather local information on where flooding is worst so it is vital that everyone takes part who can.

Danielle Brown at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust explains more, “The public’s local knowledge is vital to us – it helps us plan where to focus our resources so we can have the biggest impact for nature and communities. Now 268,480 people have the chance to share their concerns, hear about our science-led natural solutions and to pass on their local knowledge.

Everyone who responds to the flood survey will receive a guide with 15 easy ways that they can help reduce flooding and a tree will be planted in their name to create woodlands along the River Derwent that will connect the National Forest to the Northern Forest. But most importantly, it’s also an opportunity to work with the Trust more closely to tackle the flooding issues together – from toolkits on how to help, right through to being part of a huge volunteer group who will help to plant forests, hedgerows and build leaky dams. It’s a brilliant community movement that will have a great outcome for nature as well as helping to reduce flooding for years to come!”

It’s all part of the Trust’s Derwent Connections project, a programme that will see the creation of woodlands through River Derwent Catchment where in order to connect the National Forest near the south of the county to the Northern Forest initiatives. The project expands on the work that the Trust carries out whilst managing the Derbyshire Derwent Catchment Partnership.

As part of this project the Trust will undertake flood risk modelling. Working with local communities to introduce nature-based solutions such as hedgerow planting and leaky dams as well as long terms solutions such as woodland creation.

Danielle continues, “This is really important now because we’re in the middle of a nature crisis and climate crisis. In order to see real change to problems such as flooding we need at least 33% of our landscapes to be restored and reconnected for nature. We also need as many people as possible to know that it is important and how to help.”

The project is funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund - a key part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change. Connecting people with nature is another priority theme: by increasing access to nature and greenspaces, projects will support both physical and mental wellbeing. The Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission. A full list of awards is available to view at: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/publications/green-recovery-challenge-fund-second-round-decisions-july-2021

If you don’t receive the survey but would love to get involved, you can do so online by visiting: https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/derwent-connections