National Trust looks to natural solutions for flood prevention

THE National Trust and insurance firm Admiral have teamed up to boost flood prevention through nature-based solutions.

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A restored floodplain at the River Aller on National Trust Holnicote Estate, Exmoor

(EMILY BEAMENT/PA WIRE)

The organisations said they will work together on large-scale landscape restoration as a way to help tackle the growing threat of flooding.

The partnership, announced on Wednesday, will involve a £600,000 investment from Admiral’s green fund initiative into nature-based solution projects in three upland areas - Snowdonia in Wales, the Holnicote Estate in Somerset and in the Lake District in Cumbria.

The National Trust teams will carry out a series of interventions in these areas to help the land absorb more water and slow water flow.

They also hope to boost declining wildlife, including curlews, dragonflies and the return of plant species such as the water-loving sphagnum moss that helps form new carbon-absorbing peat.