United approach can help tackle region’s flooding woes: The Yorkshire Post says

There was much disappointment last month when a long-promised Government flooding summit into the situation across the region was downgraded to focus solely on South Yorkshire.

However, a promising new initiative offers an important chance for decision-makers to finally get a grasp on the issue by hearing from the experts at ground level.

The Nature Recovery Network – described as the “biggest programme for nature recovery in England’s history” – is to be led by Natural England but also has the support of multiple Government organisations including Defra and the Environment Agency as well as farmers, landowners, conservationists and businesses.

Promisingly, Yorkshire is at the forefront of its initial efforts, with the Tees Swale: Naturally Connected involving officials from the Yorkshire Dales National Park and hundreds of farmers who are working together to restore meadows and peatland, revive rivers, improve habitat for wading birds, manage rushes and create a landscape richer in trees and scrub.

One of the key long-term aims of the Network is to provide natural solutions to manage flood risk more effectively.

This is no easy task but it is one that is critical to the country’s future, especially as more houses are built, often in areas where flooding is currently not just possible but likely. As Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, puts it: the aim is to create a “network of organisations and people to create a network of places that will bring huge benefits for wildlife, landscapes and people”. The vision is ambitious, but with the right people getting involved, the benefits could be huge for generations to come.