Planting the right tree in the right place is key to making sure new woodlands support, rather than harm, local ecosystems while also mitigating against climate change. This could be in the form of hedgerow planting, or the creation of riparian woodland – the natural belt of trees and vegetation that grows beside watercourses. Together, riparian woodlands and hedgerows strengthen the ecological network of our catchment, and provide the following benefits for our river systems:

Cooling Rivers: In healthy river systems, tree canopy naturally provides shade that helps to buffer extreme temperatures. Much of our riparian tree cover has been lost due to urban development and agriculture. By prioritising riparian woodland planting, we hope to restore our cool waters.

Reducing Erosion & Improving Soil Health: Tree roots bind and stabilise riverbanks, reducing the risk of erosion and helping to prevent sediment from being washed into the water.

Supporting Cleaner Water: Riparian woodlands and hedgerow barriers act as natural filters, trapping pollutants and nutrients before they reach the river, improving overall water quality.

Natural Flood Management: Tree roots help to ‘slow the flow’ of water by intercepting rainfall, enhancing soil infiltration, and reducing the risk of flooding downstream. Fallen trees can also create natural leaky dams in watercourses and aid the natural river processes of erosion and deposition.

Boosting Biodiversity: Riparian habitats and hedgerows provide food, shelter, and corridors for wildlife – from insects and nesting birds to fish and mammals. Much of our existing woodland and hedgerows are small and fragmented. By increasing riparian woodland cover and planting hedgerows, we can recreate these corridors and connect ecosystems across the catchment.

Climate Resilience & Carbon Storage: Trees and hedgerows capture and store carbon, helping to mitigate climate change while making our landscapes more resilient to its impacts.