Alyn Catchment Living Landscape: North Wales Wildlife Trust

Spanning 29,100 hectares of predominantly agricultural land, the Alyn Catchment Recovery Project brings together farmers, land managers, communities and partners behind a shared vision: a thriving catchment where wildlife flourishes and people prosper alongside clean, healthy and resilient natural environments.

Building on more than a decade of work across the catchment, with over 30 farmers already actively delivering environmental enhancements through a range of funding programmes, the project is well positioned to scale up nature recovery across the landscape.

Delivered through a land advice and third-party delivery model, the project will use nature-based solutions to strengthen water resilience, restore biodiversity and support sustainable land management. Interventions across the catchment will deliver carbon sequestration, natural flood management, improved water resource management and the creation and restoration of habitats, while also increasing resilience to drought and wildfire. Opportunities for species reintroduction and re-establishment, including beaver, will further support the recovery of natural processes and ecological function.

Alongside environmental outcomes, the project will help create a stronger connection between people and nature through volunteering, education, interpretation and improved access to the landscape. By combining long-term stewardship with collaborative investment and delivery, the project aims to generate lasting benefits for wildlife, communities and the local economy, while supporting health and well-being across the catchment.

The Alyn Catchment Recovery Project will bring together farmers, land managers, communities and partners, spanning 29,100 hectares of land.

Rivers 2040

A Rivers 2040 project is a place-based freshwater restoration initiative that contributes to the long-term recovery of river catchments through nature-based solutions. Projects can range from restoring floodplains and wetlands, improving water quality, reconnecting rivers to their natural processes, creating habitat for wildlife, reducing pollution, increasing access to nature, or helping communities become more resilient to flooding and drought.

Rivers 2040 aims to bring together multiple environmental, social and economic benefits at a catchment scale, demonstrating how investment in nature can support healthier rivers, thriving wildlife, resilient communities and sustainable economic growth.

Land ownership

Third-party owned: land owned by private individuals, businesses, public bodies, charities, or other organisations.

Delivery approach

Land advice or third part delivery: the project achieves change by enabling, advising, coordinating or supporting others to deliver interventions, rather than undertaking the majority of delivery itself.

Project readiness

Development ready: project design is progressing, key stakeholders are being engaged, and business cases, delivery models and investment requirements are ready to be developed.

Partners and funding

Delivery of this project may be supported by a range of partners and funding mechanisms. Funding may already have been secured from multiple sources and at different stages, contributing towards the overall project value and delivery costs. Contact us to explore current funding requirements and how the project could be developed and delivered with your organisation.

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Project benefits

Nature slows the flow

Natural flood management

Natural solutions such as tree planting, reconnecting floodplains and wetland creation, slow the flow of water through catchments, helping to reduce flood risk downstream to homes and businesses. These measures support wildlife, store carbon and improve water quality too.

An expanse of dry, cracked earth at a reedbed, the result of a drought

Nature stores water

Natural drought protection

Restoring habitats such as wetlands and peatlands helps store water in the landscape and builds resilience to drought through maintaining water supplies for both people and wildlife. Re-wetted areas provide a refuge to wildlife and store vast amounts of carbon too.

Bringing back nature’s engineers

Keystone species

Reintroducing keystone species brings back natural processes that improve biodiversity and climate change resilience. Keystone species like beavers and large herbivores are nature’s engineers, shaping their habitats in ways that enhance resilience and help other wildlife thrive.

Split level view of the River Itchen, with aquatic plants: Blunt-fruited Water-starwort (Callitriche obtusangula) Itchen Stoke Mill is visible on the left.

Nature cleans up catchments

Pollution reduction

Healthy rivers and wetlands trap sediment, filter out pollutants, and absorb excess nutrients, helping to improve water quality. These natural processes help the provision of clean and safe water for people and wildlife.

A group of adults and children in a community garden opposite a block of flats. The sign reads 'Forest Garden' and there are bushes and sunflowers, amongst other plants

Nature supports neighbourhoods

Community benefits

Restoring our rivers and surrounding areas helps people access nature-rich spaces, supporting their mental and physical wellbeing, and helping prevent illnesses. It improves air and water quality, and helps communities cope with flooding, drought and extreme heat.

This Rivers 2040 project is hosted on the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts' website on behalf of Wildlife Trusts. Project goals, fundraising totals and other information reflect the latest information available at the point of publication and may be subject to change.