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Cornish farmers are helping build climate and flood resilience through two interconnecting projects, Athwenna Irons reports.
FARMERS in the Mevagissey catchment are helping two nature-based projects improve climate and flood resilience. The Tackling Climate Change – Flood Prevention Project (TCC), pioneered by Climate Vision and involving residents, farmers, businesses, and government authorities has reached a significant milestone combining climate resilience with sustainable agriculture. Luci Isaacson, director of Climate Vision, said: “Soil testing has revealed this innovative trial project has sequestered 17.84 tonnes of carbon in one year (13%), a significant leap from the (0-5%) increase that was expected in year one, providing ground-breaking insights into a net zero future, while tackling flooding, soil health and sustainable farming practices.
“The Government recognise how private investment can help fund a range of what is known as ‘ecosystem services’, such as flood management and providing for bees – here we can provide evidence and data to support that pathway, while inspiring Cornish firms to actively work on reducing their environmental footprint.”
Tregoad Holiday Park, near Looe, invested £2,500 to sow herbal ley seeds at Higher Kestle Farm, St Ewe, which germinated in the drought of 2022. Herbal ley, with its deep roots, brings numerous benefits –mitigating flooding by holding rainfall in its growth while enhancing soil and animal health.
Miranda Jacobs, director of Waterside Holiday Group which runs the park, said: “Climate Vision has helped make net zero accessible – rather than being a massive hill to climb.”
More than 125 people attended and took part in events at Higher Kestle Farm and the SW Climate Change Centre field trips, and enlightening climate education sessions. Richard Lobb, from Higher Kestle Farm, added: “It was nice to see people cheered up by our story after Luci told them straight about climate change but in a way that inspired them to do something, hopefully buying our seasonal food.”
Vision’s first farm event in the herbal ley fields on Higher Kestle Farm near St Ewe, featuring Richard and Tom Lobb and Luci Isaacson
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Vision’s first farm event in the herbal ley fields on Higher Kestle Farm near St Ewe, featuring Richard and Tom Lobb and Luci Isaacson
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Luci added: “By working together, we can reduce flooding, enhance the environment, and secure our future through interesting solutions.”
The project has been supported by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Martyn Alvey, Cornwall councillor (Feock and Kea) and cabinet member for environment/climate change said: “Not only has the project showcased an innovative and collaborative approach to natural flood management, but it has also further demonstrated clear benefit in promoting sustainable agriculture through its impressive evidence of carbon capture and improved soil health.”
As the TCC project ends, a second Natural Flood Management (NFM) scheme in the Mevagissey area, led by Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) and working with the community, farmers, the Environment Agency (EA), Climate Vision, Cornwall Council and the University of Plymouth, begins. The Climate Resilient Mevagissey (CRM) project, funded by the Defra’s Natural Flood Management programme, will support the area’s resilience to floods. The project is one of 20 across seven River Trusts funded by Defra’s £25m Natural Flood Management programme for nature interventions to protect communities at risk of flooding, as well as improving biodiversity and habitat.
Martyn Alvey in the herbal ley field at Higher Kestle Farm
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Interventions such as wetland creation, leaky dams and improved soil conditions support the natural processes of river catchments to absorb and / or disperse of excess water effectively.
Dr Laurence Couldrick, chief executive at WRT, said: “Mevagissey is a steep-sided rapid-response catchment which has flooded 27 times since 1960, most significantly in 2010 when more than 70 homes and businesses were flooded.
“Flooding can occur within an hour of peak rainfall, which is why our project is designed to slow, move and store water through soil management and nature-based solutions. This builds on important past work and relationships in the area, as well as integrating with existing projects such as Resilient Catchment Communities funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund.”
Simon Jeffery, senior advisor with the EA’s (West) Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Partnership and Strategic Overview team, said: “With climate change forecast to bring warmer, wetter winters, along with an increased risk of localised intense summer rainfall, this project aims to demonstrate how a whole catchment-based approach can support community resilience.”
Farmers are already committed to supporting the scheme to help ensure land management practices reduce run-off.
Ms Isaacson said: “We are thrilled to continue elements of the TCC project in CRM. Recognising the significance of local knowledge, our focus on natural flood management in Mevagissey extends beyond mitigation measures – we aim to foster discussions about aligning what we purchase with a more sustainable, long-term perspective to enhance resilience. People in the catchment will be encouraged to volunteer as project, citizen scientists.
Cllr James Mustoe (Mevagissey and St Austell Bay) said he hoped the project would make a positive local difference. “The proposals make a clear and persuasive argument for green and sustainable steps that can be taken to reduce flooding in our parish www.wrt.org.uk.
Credit Western Morning News.
Well done
Climate Vision!
Elbury Design are proud to say we have been working in partnership with Luci and the team at Climate Vision since their inception back in 2012. We were unsurprised to hear the news that her hard work and dedication has been formally recognised by Her Majesty the Queen.
Luci Claire Isaacson has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to “Flood Risk Management in Cornwall” as part of the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours List.
A big congratulations from Richard Elwell at Elbury Design and keep up the great work!