River Erewash Natural Flood Management: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Flowing south along the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire before joining the River Trent, the River Erewash has been shaped by centuries of industrial and agricultural activity.

Building on existing scoping work and Environment Agency data, this project will assess opportunities for Natural Flood Management along a 5km stretch of the river, identifying how restoration can reduce flood risk while improving the condition of the wider river corridor.

The programme will develop hydraulic models and alternative restoration scenarios based on different levels of land availability, working closely with landowners and stakeholders to identify practical and deliverable solutions.

The project will also secure the permits and permissions required to enable a first phase of capital works on land owned by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts, creating a strong foundation for future restoration and flood management interventions across the catchment.

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.

#contact

Get in touch

If you're interested in funding this project, please fill in the form below and we will be in touch.

First name

Last name

Position / Job Title

Email address

Organisation name

Organisation postcode

Please make sure to include the space between first and second half - e.g. AB1 2CD

Enquiry details

I am happy for my details to be passed onto a local Wildlife Trust should they be better placed to answer my enquiry

There are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a place-based independent charity. Supporters of The Wildlife Trusts typically work at either a local level with one or more Wildlife Trusts, or at national level, facilitated by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (our central office).

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with news relevant to business and nature, including updates on TNFDs, Biodiversity Net Gain, and employee engagement?

Yes please

No thanks

If you are already subscribed then this will not affect your regular membership or news mailings. If you are an existing Wildlife Trust member or contact this will not affect your regular membership mailings or contact necessary for the administration of your membership. We promise to protect your data, in accordance with Wildlife Trust Privacy Policy.

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

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.

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.