Woodlands for Watershed: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Working across the Derbyshire section of the Trent catchment, this county-scale programme will create, restore and conserve approximately 250 hectares of woodland and wet woodland habitat while developing a coordinated network of landowners and delivery partners.

The project will establish woodland creation plans, ecological assessments and a strategic pipeline of future opportunities, supporting an ambition to expand woodland cover across the catchment to 30,000 hectares by 2050.

Alongside woodland creation, the programme will identify and develop wetland, pond, scrape and floodplain reconnection projects that improve water retention, biodiversity and climate resilience. A community nursery using locally sourced trees will support future delivery, while a long-term monitoring framework will help measure environmental outcomes and guide expansion across the wider catchment.

This project will work across the Derbyshire section of the Trent 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

Mixed delivery: the project combines direct implementation with advisory, facilitation or partnership-based approaches to achieve outcomes across the landscape.

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.

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.

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.