Wiltshire Rural Run-off Project: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust logo

The Wiltshire Rural Run-off Project works with farmers, landowners and communities across five priority areas to reduce surface-water flooding by slowing the movement of water through the landscape. Using a direct intervention approach, the project identifies where natural flood management measures can have the greatest impact and works with local partners to design and deliver practical solutions on the ground. 

Building on more than 20 farm walkover surveys, delivery is already underway. Measures such as scrapes and leaky dams are helping to capture and store water during high rainfall events, reducing rapid run-off while creating new habitat and supporting healthier watercourses. By holding water higher in the catchment, the project aims to reduce flood risk downstream while delivering wider benefits for biodiversity and landscape resilience. 

The programme places strong emphasis on collaboration, working closely with farmers, parish councils, flood wardens and local communities to identify issues, develop solutions and share progress. Through this partnership-led approach, the project is creating a scalable model for nature-based flood management that benefits both people and wildlife. 

Delivery of this project is already underway

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

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

In delivery: project activities are actively being delivered, including habitat restoration, species recovery, community engagement or other agreed interventions.    

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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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).
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Project benefits

Swans in Channel
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.
Beaver Eating - David Parkyn
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.