Nature Based Solutions (NbS) in the Upper Cam Valley

The construction and monitoring of runoff attenuation features (RAFs) aims to provide further evidence of the benefits of NbS measures for water security and allow the ground truthing of the Environment Agency’s NbS for water availability mapping and modelling conducted in 2022-2023 for the Cam catchment.

Monitoring will assess RAFs for:

  • Changes in seepage, groundwater recharge and evaporation processes to support water resources;
  • The identification of any changes in surface water flow regimes from sub-headwater catchments to support water resources.

As well as supporting base flows, RAFs offer the potential to:

  • Reduce the chance of downstream flooding;
  • Reduce nutrient loads in waterbodies;
  • Mitigate soil and carbon losses, by raising water tables and keeping soils wetter;
  • Improve visual amenity and potentially access to nature in the farmed landscape;
  • Support biodiversity recovery through creating corridors of small wetlands.

The project is in its early stages, with the aim to install the first few RAFs by September 2024. However, as an overview, the modelling conducted to date suggests, RAFs covering just 0.14% of the catchment (approximately 400 RAFs) could increase long-term baseflow by 8.1 megalitres of water per day. The project is looking to validate these modelled results via comprehensive monitoring.

More information: https://wre.org.uk/nbs-field-trials-in-the-upper-cam-valley/

Cambridge Nature Network

In May 2021 the Cambridge Nature Network was launched with a long-term vision for Cambridge to have significant areas of downland, fens, meadows, waterways and woodlands around it, where nature can recover and thrive and where people can experience a wilder countryside and nature on their doorstep.

Soon after, funding was secured from the government’s Green Recovery Fund (£249k) and Natural England’s Nature Recovery Programme (£238k) and this has helped to drive the Cambridge Nature Network vision. The grants are helping to support 24 nature recovery projects, of which 18 are at or near completion.

The range of organisations and people involved in these projects is really inspiring, it includes local charities, local councils, community groups, local landowners, schools, contractors and individual people helping to plant trees and sow seeds.

The projects range from creating new woodlands, wetlands and meadows, to working with school children to provide nature in their grounds, to helping landowners and communities take their own action and connecting people to nature through a Cambridge Nature Festival.

More information: https://cambridgenaturenetwork.org/

Second funding round opens soon for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fund for Nature

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fund for Nature is to launch a second funding round, opening its Call for Expressions of Interest on Tuesday 4th February 2025. The Fund aims to enhance biodiversity and increase access to natural green spaces, aligning with the ambition to double the quantity and quality of wildlife habitats in the region.

Why it matters

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are home to some of the UK’s most treasured natural environments but face significant challenges such as habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. The Fund provides a vital opportunity to support landscape projects that create lasting benefits for nature and communities alike.

Who can apply?

Expressions of Interest are welcome from:
Landowners and farmers integrating productive land use with biodiversity goals.
Local authorities and public bodies enhancing community green spaces.
Conservation organisations planning large-scale habitat restoration projects.

What the Fund supports

The Fund focuses on projects that:

• Attract external investment.
• Generate sustainable revenue and aim to be financially self-sustaining.
• Deliver measurable benefits like climate change adaptation, health improvements, flood prevention, and water quality enhancement.

Larger projects will be prioritised, with repayable funding of up to £300,000 available. Projects must match funding from other sources and demonstrate potential to leverage further investment or generate revenue.

How to find out more

A webinar for prospective applicants will take place on Tuesday, 11th February, 2:00–3:30 PM, featuring updates on the first approved project, the Fleam Dyke Project, and guidance for the upcoming funding round.

Register here: https://shorturl.at/bYxcq

Matthew Bullock, Trustee of Natural Cambridgeshire and Chair of the Fund for Nature Committee, said:

“The Fund for Nature is focusing on large-scale projects to help farmers and landowners create habitats that support diverse species and restore wildlife in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It offers capital for these projects, which must be self-sustaining, matched by other contributions, and repayable. The goal is to promote the use of Green Finance, including biodiversity, woodland, carbon, and water credits, to help double Nature’s footprint in the region.”

About the Fund

The Fund was established through a grant from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and is managed by Natural Cambridgeshire.

How to apply

Guidance for Applicants and an Expression of Interest form will be published on 4th February.

For further information

Email: fund@naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk

 

Photo: Fleam Dyke nr Balsham, Cambridgeshire. Credit: Wildlife Trust BCN.

Strategic Investment in Landscape-scale Connectivity

National Highways and Network Rail have put forward a proposal to connect nature across road and rail infrastructure on a national level to aid landscape scale nature recovery. Together, they have produced a business case for strategic investment in landscape scale connectivity. Interventions funded by the business case could include:

  • Green bridges;
  • Wildlife underpasses;
  • Replacing old culverts with single span bridges;
  • Species-specific crossing features, e.g. dormouse bridges or amphibian tunnels.

In partnership with each district and the County local authority Ecology Group, five locations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been identified for potential future strategic crossings in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These could play an important role in addressing severance across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Presentation on LNRS Progress

Pamela Abbott, Director of Natural Cambridgeshire, gave a talk at the Natural Cambridgeshire Partnership Forum on 11 December 2024 to update how the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LNRS is progressing.

Highlights include the ongoing species prioritisation work and our revised timeline on public consultation.

You can view Pamela’s full presentation on the LNRS below:

 

Photo competition

Update: The photo competition is now closed, thank you so much to everyone that took part! The winner will be announced in our next newsletter. 

As part of the development of our Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), we’re looking for local photos that represent people and nature!

We now have a prize up for grabs for the best photo submitted. You can submit your photos now for a chance to win four tickets to see the winter lights at Wimpole Estate.

This is an extension of a previous photo request we ran until Friday 4 October. Do not worry if you have already submitted your photos for this as they will still be eligible for the prize.

Click here to upload your photos before our new deadline of 5pm on Thursday 31 October.

LNRS-Newsletter-Sep-24.pdf

Future Fens: Integrated Adaptation

The project is taking place on the landscape scale, covering the Fenland region. The entire landscape is below 6m AOD, and contains 17,000 flood risk and water level management assets.

Facing the challenges of sea-level rise, drought, and flood risk, the Fens are the most vulnerable area of the UK to climate change. To help adapt our environment and communities to this growing threat, FF:IA is working with 70+ stakeholder organisations who provide a variety of expertise and priorities. This affords the group a unique ability to holistically assess what this landscape requires. Consequently, FF:IA understands that nature recovery is intricately related to health, transport, socioeconomic development etc., and so our method to recovery is not a siloed approach.

An example of this cross-disciplinary method is the Transition Lab, which will align economic development with nature recovery. Currently in its’ early stages, this specific work will open the opportunity for private investment to directly establish landscape scale transformations. This is a pioneering approach to delivering green infrastructure and nature recovery, that has not yet been achieved elsewhere in England.

  • c.£1.3 million of funding has been secured by FF:IA so far
  • 70+ organisations are involved

More about the project can be found here: www.awinnovationhub.co.uk/project/future-fens-integrated-adaptation-ffia/

The Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme

Location: Great Fen, Wicken Fen and Chippenham Fen

At the Great Fen,  Wicken Fen and Chippenham Fens, Natural England, National Trust, and Wildlife Trust, aim to create saturated, healthy peat, helping to lock in carbon as well as enhancing habitats for nature.  Degrading lowland peat soils are among the largest sources of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.   Peatland restoration is vital as without action, most of the remaining peat in the Fens could be lost within 30 years.

NCPGS is providing several million pounds to restore approx. 600ha peat forming vegetation in Cambridgeshire to be delivered by March 2025.

Natural England, at Holme Fen NNR are finding restoration mind boggling complex, with permissions, licences and ensuring no increase in flooding to nearly properties or infrastructure.  Over many years  the site drainage will be reduced  and the existing peat will be  re-wet.

The National Trust at Wicken Fen are restoring peat forming vegetation on three key areas within the reserve by repairing and installing low-level clay banks to retain rainwater and managing water tables.

 

Ouse Washes

Location: 4,400ha of Ouse Washes SSSI and surrounding landscape in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk

A vision for a farmer-led approach to landscape recovery, where partners from the conservation, farming, business, drainage board, academic, local government, and community sectors act together to support the recovery of nature and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Through project partners securing private investment in ecosystem services to maximise the benefits of public investment, we will ensure that environmental outcomes and farm businesses will be sustained in tandem in the long-term.

Habitats will be created and improved to a consistently high standard; peat-soils will be safeguarded for future generations, and farms financed for delivering restorative land management.

This will enable the Ouse Washes and the species that rely on it to be better protected and insulated against ecological challenges through at least 1,000ha of targeted habitat creation in the landscape area and will reduce carbon emissions through changing practices, raising water levels and safeguarding soils.

The project will also provide opportunities for communities to better engage and connect with our landscape.