The aim of the Ridge to River Landscape Recovery Project is to create, restore and protect “a mosaic of woodlands, parkland, meres, farmland and floodplains providing food, habitat for wildlife, protecting water whilst contributing to climate change mitigation and social value”
The area is defined by three nationally important SSSIs: Moccas Park, The Flits, and the River Wye. The protection and enhancement of these is at the heart of the project. The lead partner in this project is the Upper Wye Valley Nature Partnership. Members of this partnership are the Duchy of Cornwall, Moccas Estate, the Woodland Trust and Natural England. The partnership has been developing the Landscape Recovery project “Ridge to River” which was submitted to Defra at the end of April.
Our Catchment Advisors carried out baseline and opportunity mapping of farms throughout 2025 as well as MoRPh Rivers Surveys. Opportunities have been put through the Replenish Tool to estimate their impact on Natural Flood Management.
They have been working directly with the farmers in the project since 2024. Once the proposal has been submitted to Defra by the Upper Wye Valley Nature Partnership negotiations will start. If the project is approved by Defra it will be a 20 year Landscape Recovery Project.
Defra funded the two-year development phase. If the LR project is successful it will be funded going forwards by a combination of Public Money and Private Finance.
