Making NFM a reality


​Since 2012, our Natural Flood Management (NFM) pilot project has evolved from the fledgling Trees on the River Uck (TrUck) project, to the become established as the Sussex Flow Initiative (SFI).
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Five Year Report: 2017-22

What started as a pilot project 10 years again, has proved that Natural Flood Management can be down in the lowlands of Britiain, increasing landscape resilience and biodiversity. We are proud of what we achieved over the last five years of the project - helping you to reduce flooding by improving our environment. The below infographic highlights some of the key achievements over the five year, and the reports provides more detail. We hope that it provides some inspiration about how you can help reduce flooding and drought more naturally. ​
Five year report: 2017-22

End of year report: 2021/22

Our tenth year of creating climate resilient landscape within  the Ouse Catchment through NFM has seen us achieved and in many cases exceed the five-year targets for the project (2017-22). Following a year that was heavily impacted by the C10 pandemic, the SFI were able to regain the momentum of previous years, engaging with a a staggering number of landowners across the catchment and difference a significant amount of NFM. ​The end of year report and summary (below) highlight these achievements.
Ouse Catchment Full Report 2021/22
Ouse Catchment Summary Report 2021/22

End of year report: 2020/21

It has been a difficult year (2020-2021) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting on delivery, and engagement with communities and landowners. During the multiple national lock downs, no site work, contractor work or volunteer activities were permitted, thereby requiring certain works to be delayed or cancelled. We have been able to deliver significant amount of practical NFM across the Ouse catchment, whilst complying with Government guidance, as well as ensuring Covid-secure working practises. The end of year report and summary (below) highlight these achievements.
Ouse Catchment Full Report 2020/21
Ouse Catchment Summary Report 2020/21

Social and Natural Capital benefits of the Sussex Flow Initiative

This report captures the social and natural capital benefits of the Sussex Flow Initiative Natural Flood Management project. Since we started our project in 2012, we have had a desire to articulate the multiple benefits of the work that we do. The attached report (click of image to the right) increases the evidence base of the wider benefits of NFM work to society. 

Our sincere thanks to the New Economics Foundation who collaborated with us on this report, and to all those who have worked with us over the years to have and continue to make the project a success. 

End of year report: 2019/20

With the wettest February on record, and 5th wettest winter, we saw almost instantly the effect that the natural flood management measures that we implemented this and previous years were having. We progress towards our five-year targets, creating 142 leaky dams, through a combination of volunteers days (who gave over 342 hours), contractor training days and local communities workshops. We look to build upon the successes of this year, particularly working with the two farmer cluster groups who where successful with their facilitation fund application this year.
Powdermill Catchment Report 2019/20
Ouse Catchment Full and Summary Report 2019/20

End of year  reports: 2018/19

Our NFM work continues to grow; contributing to flood risk reduction and influencing the wider NFM community. The work in the Powdermill catchment got off to a fantastic start this year - we advised and worked with numerous landowners and organisations, and delivered the first NFM hedgerows and leaky dams in the catchment. Our activities in the Ouse catchment are continuing, and is becoming more diverse and making strides towards our five-year targets.

Powdermill Catchment Report 2018/19

Ouse Catchment Reports 2018/19

End of year report: 2017/18

The past year (2017-2018) has been a busy and exciting year for NFM both nationally and locally. During this time we have continued to build on the collaborations and communications with landowners and organisations within the Ouse catchment and further afield, to deliver an impressive (even if we do say so ourselves) amount of practical NFM. The end of year report and summary (below) highlight these achievements.
Full Report 2017/18
Summary Report 2017/18

Five Year  Report: 2012/17

We are proud of what we achieved in the first five years of the project - helping you to reduce flooding by improving our environment. Below are the key things we have achieved over the five year, and the reports below provide a summary in more detail. We hope that it provides some inspiration about how you can help reduce flooding and drought more naturally. 
Full Five Year Report
Summary Five Year Report