A two-day workshop on natural flood management is being held in Tarland, Aberdeenshire this week (Tuesday 18^th and Wednesday 19^th January 2011).

Organised by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and NFUS in conjunction with the Scottish Government, the event will focus on identifying and understanding the barriers facing farmers who wish to implement natural flood management measures on their land and the incentives that could encourage them to do so.

Natural flood management can include creating, restoring and maintaining wetlands, planting woodland or creating buffer strips. These can slow the flow of water during a flood event or store water to help reduce the risk of flooding downstream. These activities can also provide additional benefits including reducing pollution, improving biodiversity and providing opportunities for recreation.

The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 is now in force and aims to deliver timely and sustainable approaches to reducing the impact of flooding to Scotland’s communities, environment, cultural heritage and economy. This is crucial as flooding may become more frequent in future as the climate changes. There have been a number of severe flooding events in Scotland in recent years with the economic costs felt not only by those directly affected but by the wider community. The economic cost of flooding in Scotland is estimated to average £31.5 million per year from inland flooding and £19.1 million from coastal flooding.

Dr Simon Langan, from the Institute’s catchment management team who has organised the workshop said, “Flood risk management involves being more proactive and focussing flood preventative and mitigation measures on a catchment scale.”

He continued, “The sustainable approach to flood risk management includes Natural Flood Management, and farmers have a key role in its success. This workshop brings together not only farmers and land managers but key agency and policy makers and the Macaulay is keen to facilitate discussions between the two groups. The event represents the start of dialogue with farmers and land mangers about the needs, opportunities and barriers to the uptake of Natural Flood management activities.”

The workshops take place at Douneside House, Tarland. The first day is dedicated to collecting views from the land management community then the information will be disseminated to environmental agencies and policy makers during the second day.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Clare Neely
The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute
Craigiebucker
Aberdeen, AB15 8QH
Tel: 01224 395087 (direct dial)

E-mail: c.neely@macaulay.ac.uk