£2.4m for community flood, erosion and water quality projects

12 Dec 2024 01:21 PM

People affected by flooding, coastal erosion and water pollution will co-lead research projects to find natural ways to protect their communities.

Three projects based in Merseyside and Cheshire, Yorkshire, and the Outer Hebrides have received a share of £2.4 million from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation.

The studies are the first NERC research projects to be co-led by local community members and scientists from beginning to end.

Addressing flood risk

Flooding events are expected to double by 2080 in the UK. A project led by the University of Liverpool with Merseyside and Cheshire community groups will address the rising flood risk across the region.

Thousands of communities, homes and businesses have been affected by flooding along the river, with incidents predicted to increase in the coming years because of climate change.

The project will identify effective nature-based intervention, or natural defences, that will reduce the impact of flooding. Effective examples used in other areas of the UK include woodland planting and leaky damns.

Tackling river pollution

A second project led by the University of York will monitor and tackle the chemical pollution in Yorkshire’s rivers and lakes.

More than 1,700 members of the public will take part in the ambitious citizen science project, believed to be the largest of its type, alongside:

  • academics
  • government officials
  • charities
  • business groups

Reducing coastal erosion

A third project led Glasgow Caledonian University and island communities in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides will investigate the most effective ways to reduce coastal erosion.

The research group will use sustainable and natural approaches to conserving the coastlines of Barra and Vatersay.

The islands are significantly affected by erosion, particularly along the sand dunes and beaches due to exposure to the storms and rising sea levels of the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal erosion threatens businesses, homes and landmarks.

Community scientist partnerships

Louise Heathwaite, Executive Chair of NERC, said:

The NERC Engaged Environmental Science programme will address critical environmental challenges such as flooding, coastal erosion, and water pollution.

For the first time we have awarded funding to three projects that will be co-led by local communities and scientists.

By working together in new and innovative ways, they will develop natural solutions that protect and enhance natural habitats along the river Mersey, in Yorkshire and in the Outer Hebrides.

Each project funded by NERC’s Engaged Environmental Science programme will last four years.

Further information

These awards are part of the Engaged Environmental Science programme.

CONVERSE: community vision for resilient riverscapes

Led by Dr Annie Ockelford, University of Liverpool

The CONVERSE project addresses the rising flood risk in the UK, which is expected to double by 2080.

This project focuses on marginalised communities often overlooked in traditional flood interventions. By involving local communities in the development and monitoring of Nature Based Interventions (NBI), CONVERSE aims to create resilient riverscapes that meet community needs.

The project will explore how stakeholders interact with NBI, co-design monitoring strategies, and compare community-defined and conventional monitoring methods.

The team, including engagement specialists, scientists, and community partners, aims to empower communities and set a standard for engaged community science.

Team:

  • University of Liverpool
  • Faiths4change
  • Mersey Forest
  • University of Leeds
  • Woodland Trust

Project partners:

  • Environment Agency
  • Wigan Council
  • Lancashire Wildlife Trust
  • Natural England
  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • 2030 Hub
  • Lower Mersey Catchment Partnership
  • Alt Crossens Catchment Partnership
  • JBA Consulting
  • United Utilities
  • Wilder Things
  • Nature Connected
  • Mersey Rivers Trust
  • Mersey Trust
  • Natural Health Service
  • Friends of Low Hall
  • Friends of Bickershaw Country Park
  • Croxteth Park Volunteer Group
  • Woodland Trust Volunteer Group
  • Liverpool City Council
  • Liverpool Friends of the Earth
  • Transition Liverpool
  • Friends of Sefton Park
  • Together Liverpool Network
  • Smithills Community Alliance
  • Groundwork Trust
  • Icarus Collective Ltd

Together towards a pollution-free aquatic environment

Led by Professor John Wilkinson, University of York

This project aims to create an inclusive Yorkshire community of practice. Using new citizen science techniques, the project will monitor and improve water quality across nine case-study water bodies.

A novel citizen science toolkit, co-produced with the public, will enable extensive data collection on micropollutants and bacterial species.

The project emphasises sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity, aiming to enhance environmental monitoring beyond the capabilities of academic and regulatory bodies.

By upskilling the public and ensuring open access to data, the project seeks to inform real-world decisions on aquatic health and foster long-term community engagement.

Team:

  • University of York
  • Environment Agency
  • Rivers Trust

Project partners:

  • Bradford Amateur Rowing Club
  • The River Foss Society
  • Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
  • Yorkshire Water
  • Nidd Action Group
  • Ryedale Environmental Group
  • Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
  • Aire Rivers Trust
  • Bioventix
  • City of York Council
  • Friends of Roundhay Park
  • North Yorkshire County Council
  • Pickering Fishery Association
  • River Holme Connections
  • Roundhay Environmental Action Project
  • St Nicks
  • Seven Angling Club
  • York Postal Harriers Runners Club
  • Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust
  • Pervasive Media Studio

Muir is Tir (Land and Sea): adapting to coastal change on Barra and Vatersay

Led by Dr Heather Lynch, Glasgow Caledonian University

The ‘Muir is Tir’ project is a collaborative effort involving the communities of Barra and Vatersay.

This project addresses the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events on these remote coastal areas. By developing nature-based solutions (NbS) that enhance both environmental and community wellbeing, the project aims to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion and flooding.

The project will co-create scientific knowledge about coastal changes and develop NbS through participatory, interdisciplinary research.

By involving the community in every step, ‘Muir is Tir’ aims to create a practical understanding of the relationship between coastal changes and community impacts. It offers valuable insights for other coastal communities in Scotland and beyond.

Team:

  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Barra and Vatersay Blue Carbon Group
  • The Committee of the Borve Resting Place Organisation
  • Coimhearsnachd agus Bhatarsaidh (Barra and Vatersay Community) Ltd
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of St Andrews
  • University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Voluntary Action Barra & Vatersay
  • Eoligarry Crofters
  • The Vatersay Association
  • The Nautilus Club

Project partners:

  • Climate Hebrides
  • Voluntary Action Barra & Vatersay
  • others