Centuries of deforestation and livestock grazing in the Tweed Valley have left little to no native tree cover, exacerbating riverbank erosion and diffuse pollution. WADER is planning an ambitious 64ha riparian (riverbank) tree planting scheme here over five years, using mixed native species. This will stabilise riverbanks, reduce run-off and nitrate leaching, create wildlife habitats, balance river water temperatures (crucial for sensitive species such as salmon and trout) and increase carbon-capture. Additional riverbank fencing will also prevent pollution when animals enter the river. What’s more the woodland will increase the desirability of the area for recreation, better connect people with nature and provide a boost to the local economy.
As well as benefits to the environment, the scheme has multiple benefits for agri-business – the new woodlands will provide shelter belts, enable more controlled mob grazing and reduce poaching.
The WADER team has been raising awareness across the Tweed catchment of the many benefits of riparian planting in order to share experience and expertise and drive participation from landowners and farmers. This has involved a range of knowledge transfer and capacity-building activities including workshops, one-to-one site visits, mentoring, training and identifying and securing blended finance opportunities. They have also produced a best practice manual for riparian woodland creation aimed at practitioners and giving guidance on recruiting, designing, funding and managing planting projects.
So far, seven planting schemes have been approved by the Forestry Grant Scheme, a contractor has been appointed and two broadleaf woodland sites have already been planted. The team are on target to have more schemes planted by the autumn and winter this year. Meanwhile, they will continue to identify more opportunities and educate local landowners on the multiple benefits of native riverbank woodland for diffuse pollution, habitat creation and flood mitigation.
In tandem, a demonstration project is underway to investigate the benefits of solar-powered water troughs. Also – we hope soon to explore the protection of young trees from deer with emulsified sheep’s fat (instead of plastic tubing).
Read Tweed Forum’s Guide for Woodland Creation hereÂ
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