Wolds to the Coast Flyway: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Water flows from the chalk landscapes of the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape through coastal grazing marshes and into the North Sea. This source-to-sea programme will restore a network of connected habitats and watercourses, including rare chalk streams, grasslands, woodlands, freshwater marshes, Waithe Beck, the Eau, Land Dike Drain and the historic Louth Canal. Through a combination of land acquisition and partnership working with existing landowners, the project will create a continuous nature recovery corridor while supporting diversification opportunities and sustainable economic benefits for local communities.

The programme will strengthen the area's reputation as a nationally important destination for wildlife, building on assets such as Donna Nook, where 60,000-70,000 visitors gather each winter to witness the birth of more than 2,000 grey seal pups. Opportunities to restore and create freshwater, intertidal and coastal habitats will help meet growing demand for Biodiversity Net Gain while delivering environmental, social and economic benefits across some of the country's most disadvantaged coastal communities.

Building on the innovative Wilder Humber approach, the project will expand sand dune and saltmarsh restoration and enhancement, alongside the development of propagation facilities for plants and freshwater, intertidal and subtidal species. Investment in internship accommodation and training opportunities will help remove barriers to participation, while a comprehensive monitoring programme and MRes bursary scheme will support landowners and strengthen understanding of investment in natural capital markets.

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

Mixed ownership: project area spans both Wildlife Trust-owned and third-party owned land.

Delivery approach

Direct delivery: the project delivers change through on-the-ground activity within the project area, implementing interventions that restore, enhance or manage habitats and natural processes.

Project readiness

Investment ready: the project proposition is well defined, with funding requirements, delivery plans, projected outcomes and governance arrangements in progress.

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.