2022-23 Tales from an East Anglian Riverbank - Portfolio - Page 17
Alconbury brook: VALLEY FARM
INTEGRATING NFM
& WFD
Working with:
FWAG East at Valley
Farm
Listers Ltd Farm
EA Lead:
Karen Paterson
This project is part of an ongoing NFM scheme in the Alconbury
catchment which began as one of the government's £15 million
pilot schemes in 2017. Since then, over 10 sites have had NFM
measures installed across the upper catchment, working with
farmers and partners, including Natural England, to provide
land management advice in addi}on to NFM measures.
The local nood group are now taking on much of the NFM work,
resul}ng in a long-term future for NFM in the catchment along
with mul}-bene昀椀ts.
Outputs:
£59,453
£51,453
£8,000
Total Project Value
EA Funding
Partnership Funding
2 meanders, 5 ponds, and 9 leaky dams
A shelf, further meander and online pond
Tree and scrub clearance and scalloping the edges of the
woodland will allow more sunlight to reach the ponds
A mosaic of young scrub, open grass areas and mature trees
will eventually develop, bene昀椀琀�ng species such as rep}les
and bu琀琀ernies which live in 8edge9 habitats.
Nearly 4 ha of new riparian and pond habitat created
Leaky woody structure made from on-site woodland scalloping Credit: Lucy Jenkins, FWAG East
488 m of watercourse improved
Outcomes:
Reduc}on in nood risk as water is held back during high
nows
Increased biodiversity
Community engagement
Improved land management
Aerial view of one of the on line ponds, leaky woody structure and
meanders - Credit: Euan Simpson, EA
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