SUMMER 2016 No 18 YEARS 1991 2016 The newsletter of the Tweed Forum
Introduction from the Chairman There is a touch of silver to this newsletter as it is 25 years since Tweed Forum was established. At the time, this was a pretty unusual development. There are now over 70 Rivers Trusts across the UK, but the remit and structure of the Forum remains unique, and is constantly evolving. Whilst our original focus was very much concerned with the river, it has broadened hugely in recognition of the fact that the health of the river is simply a reflection of the land it flows through, and the people and politics that impinge upon it. This means that Forum s portfolio of work is extremely varied: from policy to practice; from blanket bog to brackish water; from people to protected species. Last summer, Bob Kay stood down as Chairman of Tweed Forum. The experience, knowledge, wisdom and dedication he committed to this role over 15 years were essential elements in the remarkable growth of the Forum. On behalf of all Tweed Forum members, and all those who have participated in and benefited from its ever-widening range of projects, I express profound thanks. This will be a very hard act to follow. It was fitting therefore that, towards the close of Bob s tenure, Tweed Forum should be awarded the inaugural UK River Prize for its work over the years. Chris Spray, a former Chairman (and perennial champion) of the Forum, gives a useful retrospective of its evolution on the opposite page. The work could not happen without the many funding partners who comprise Tweed Forum. Their funding is never taken for granted and I offer my thanks to all of them. But, ultimately, it is all down to the fantastic Tweed Forum team. I am constantly amazed by what they achieve and the cheerful enthusiasm with which they tackle new projects. This newsletter will bring you right up to date. James Hepburne Scott, Tweed Forum Chairman 1
From a yellow digger to integrated land and water management Professor Chris Spray reflects on 25 years of partnership-working Tweed Forum effectively began life in 1991 in response to a seemingly unremarkable event a yellow digger removing gravel from a river channel. In this respect, the origin of Tweed Forum echoes that of many nongovernmental organisations (NGOs): a concerned individual reacting to an immediate local issue (a digger making a mess and no clear ground rules to follow) by bringing in partners to try and resolve it. When those partners met to discuss the yellow digger problem, they were taking the first steps towards a partnership approach to catchment management. 25 years later, Tweed Forum is one of the most recognised river trusts, both in the UK (winning the first-ever UK River Prize) and globally (achieving prestigious UNESCO HELP Basin status). When I first joined Forum, shortly after it began, we were in effect a talking shop, discussing the issues and opportunities that rivers throw up and the potential ways we might collectively resolve them. The attendees contributed to discussions not solely as representatives of their organisations, but with the understanding that, by working together and recognising the link between land and water management across the whole of Tweed, we could, perhaps, make a difference. The metamorphosis from talking shop to company occurred in 1999, with support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Membership was widened, and community views on priorities to improve Tweed were specifically sought; a process that underpinned our first Catchment Management Plan, published in 2003. Our aim was to conserve, enhance and raise awareness of the natural, built and cultural heritage of the catchment, culminating in a 9,000,000 suite of projects to deliver that aim. The last decade has seen Forum become a major player in advising government on policies to improve wetland environments and to sustain farming. This has culminated in the ground-breaking Scottish Borders Land Use Strategy pilot, in conjunction with Scottish Borders Council and Dundee University. So, what is the secret to 25 years of successful partnership-working within the Tweed catchment? Well, believing in the power of partnership is key, as is trust; recognising the expertise of different folk around the table and how they can contribute. A partnership based on sound evidence (scientific, technical, local all are valued) and a willingness to try out new ideas has been important too. A partnership which values the livelihoods of the communities of the Tweed catchment - addressing their issues, not just those of organisations with a statutory duty - has always stayed in touch with its grassroots. Finally, no organisation succeeds without excellent staff and strong leaders and we have been blessed with both throughout 25 years of Tweed Forum. Thank you to all of them, past and present. See p12-13 for a brief history of Tweed Forum 3
Tweed Forum River Champion Award Tweed Forum is delighted to launch a new award that will celebrate and recognise individuals outstanding commitment to improve the Tweed and its environs. There are a huge number of people who work very hard to enhance and protect the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Tweed, whether they be farmers, land owners, ghillies or members of the community. See right for more details. Do you know someone who has an outstanding commitment to improving the Tweed or the landscapes it flows through? If so, why not nominate them for the Tweed Forum s new Tweed Forum River Champion Award. From farmers and foresters to landowners, ghillies and members of the community, there are hundreds of people dedicated to enhancing and protecting the rich natural and cultural heritage of the River Tweed through their jobs, volunteering or personal commitment. Our new award aims to recognise their efforts and showcase the diversity of ways in which Borderers are preserving our most precious assets. The deadline for nominations is September 2016; for more details visit www.tweedforum.org/riverchampion. 4
Catchment Management Planning update Included with this newsletter is a short leaflet ( Taking Stock ), highlighting some of the excellent work of the Tweed Catchment Management Plan (CMP) partnership over the last five years. This leaflet has arisen out of the latest CMP review, in which we have revised the full CMP document following a period of extensive stakeholder consultation (available for download at www.tweedforum.org/ catchment-management-planning). The new CMP provides a comprehensive plan of action for improving the Tweed catchment as well as an informative background to the catchment management planning process. Also available for download is a companion review of progress document which highlights the huge amount of work carried out within the catchment by the CMP partnership from 2010 to 2015. In other news, the Solway Tweed River Basin Management Plan 2015 update (RBMP) is also now available at www.sepa.org. The national RBMP programme for monitoring and improving the UK s water environment has strong links with the Tweed CMP, and integration between the two processes has proved very successful. Fallago Environment Fund Tweed Forum is running this important Fund on behalf of Roxburghe Estates and EDF Renewables The Fund has now supported 32 projects, amounting to some 600,000. In the last few rounds, the Fund has committed support towards the restoration of Monteath Mausoleum, an imposing Neo-Byzantine structure clearly visible from the A68 south of St Boswells; the Border Union Agricultural Society Children s Day at Springwood Park (which attracts over 1,200 pupils each year); Jedburgh Horticultural Society s bi-centenary; repairs to the medieval kirk at Lennel; Kelso Town Hall bi-centenary; the Jim Clark Museum; the Ettrick and Yarrow Pastoral Society; Kelso Wheelers and Borders Youth Theatre. FALLAGO ENVIRONMENT FUND Kelso Wheelers celebrate the opening of their new cycle trail on the outskirts of Kelso. 5
Land Use Scottish Borders pilot Land Use Strategy Tweed Forum has been working with Scottish Borders Council and Dundee University to engage stakeholders in the national pilot The two-year Scottish Borders Land Use Strategy (LUS) pilot project was completed in March 2015 after significant stakeholder engagement. One of the key outcomes was a map-based tool, designed to help facilitate land use decisionmaking. Arising out of this, various land use opportunity maps are available to view on the Scottish Borders Council website platform Find-it www.scotborders.gov.uk/findit. Over the last year, through an extension to the pilot, Tweed Forum has been working with LUS partners to look at how the tool could be applied, particularly with regards to targeting agri-environment scheme monies. Tweed Forum feels strongly that, after all this work, the opportunity maps need to be used for practical purposes and we are committed to taking this forward. On this front, Tweed Forum recently submitted four catchment-scale projects to ECAF focussing on natural flood management, diffuse pollution, invasive nonnative species control and native woodland expansion. If the applications are successful, the LUS tool will be tested in helping facilitate and target this work. A final report on the LUS pilot was presented to Scottish Government in March 2016 and it is hoped that we will continue to utilise and refine the mapping tool in the future. This includes exploring: how LUS opportunity maps could be used as part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) application and assessment process how the LUS opportunity maps could be used to inform and improve Woodlands for Water target maps, i.e. help deliver the right projects in the right place at the right scale how a group might use LUS data to make applications to the SRDP Environmental Cooperation Action Fund (ECAF) 6
Riverworks River Till Restoration Strategy The River Till Restoration Strategy (RTRS) is working to restore watercourses within the Till catchment to a more natural state Some important areas of work have been completed over recent months. These include completion of a river environment advice and guidance note, which will assist landowners in understanding the regulatory requirements of working in rivers, and site specific advice on sustainable riverbank erosion management for farm businesses. What Can I Do......in Rivers An Advice & Guidance Note produced by the Till River Restoration Strategy Till River Restoration Strategy and how it can help. The Till River Restoration Strategy takes a catchment-scale approach to improving the conservation status of the River Till and its tributary watercourses. The TRRS ethos is to deliver works that are in line with the conservation status of the catchment, while also helping to balance the requirements of riparian owners interests and those of other stakeholders. The TRRS encourages riparian land managers and owners to consider works proposals at the catchment scale i.e. identifying the causes of problems as well as just addressing the symptoms. The TRRS project officer can be contacted see contact section below to discuss river management issues identified by land owners and land managers across the catchment, and provide advice on the requirements likely to be applicable to consenting. ¹ Tweed Catchment Rivers (England): Till Catchment SSSI. ² Tweed Rivers SAC. ³ Water Resources Act 1991 and Land Drainage Act 1991. 4 http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/ - Check whether watercourses are classified as Main River or Ordinary Watercourse. This guidance note is intended to clarify the rules regarding working in rivers. It will highlight the consent process and what information is required to be provided to the regulatory authorities to allow them to make a decision on what is being proposed. The information here has been developed in partnership with the Environment Agency and Natural England. The information in this guidance note relates to the area of the Till catchment within England. Works proposed on the Bowmont Water sub catchment in Scotland will require consent from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Why do we need consent? The principal rivers, and the majority of tributaries within the Till catchment, are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)1, and also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)2. Works in, over, under or adjacent to rivers are consented under the Land Drainage and Flood Defence³ legislation to ensure that works do not present an increased flood risk to property, or an environmental risk to the river environment in terms of pollution, impacts on water quality, habitat degradation, or impact on the designated interest features. Who consents riverworks? If a watercourse is classified as Main River 4 the consent is issued by the Environment Agency, with statutory consultation with Natural England in relation to the SSSI and SAC interest features (reasons the site is designated) and the River Tweed Commission in relation to fisheries impacts. The majority of the watercourses in the Till catchment are Main River a classification originally based on management of a watercourse for land drainage and/or flood defence. Watercourses within the catchment that are not main river (including the River Tweed) are classified as Ordinary Watercourses - consent for works on these is dealt with by Northumberland County Council, and is also processed with statutory consultation with Natural England. The Environment Agency is the statutory body responsible for considering impacts on water quality, flood risk and biodiversity, including designated site interest features. Natural England is the statutory body responsible for ensuring appropriate management of, and considering impacts on, designated sites and associated features The River Tweed Commission is the organisation responsible for maintaining and protecting the population of native fish species What Requires Consent? q Main River watercourses any works in channel, on riverbanks, or within 5m of river bank top. q Watercourses with floodbanks any works between floodbank and channel, or within 5m of the floodbank (the floodbank is considered to represent the river bank top). q Ordinary watercourses culverting or works affecting the flow. A key project completed in recent months has been the creation of Engineered Log Jam bank protection and associated channel diversion at Wooler. In partnership with the landowner, this will provide a great example of how a green bank solution can combat infrastructure-threatening Riverbank erosion at Wooler before works commenced erosion. The site will be closely monitored to assess the effectiveness of the technique and how quickly the new channel provides meaningful habitat. The Clipex fencing trial at West Fenton has proven initially encouraging and we have recently extended this to create two further grazing compartments on the haughland. This will allow changes in flock management, to the benefit of both the riverside habitat and the farm business. We have also been exploring the new agri-environment Following high flows in Dec 2015/Jan 2016, the site has provisions for England, seen channel migration, adjustment of sediment deposits with a small number of and development of in-channel habitats farm holdings coming to the end of their existing Higher Level Stewardship agreements. This makes it ideal timing to explore the potential of the new Countryside Stewardship Scheme, including the innovative Making Space for Water land management option, which may help secure delivery of key outcomes within the RTRS. Guidance on understanding, and applying for, riverworks consent has been published 7
Habitats and Species Peatland Action Fund This Scotland-wide project to restore and manage peatland to maintain carbon stores and encourage carbon sequestration came to an end in March 2016 Over its four year lifespan, the Peatland Action Fund has seen peatland restoration work take place on 100 sites throughout Scotland, covering 8,500ha of blanket bog, lowland raised bogs and forestto-bog conversions. The Peatland Action team has shared information and ideas and together have built up a toolbox of peatland restoration techniques. Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) moorland management options. However, as we now have the baseline information to inform future funding applications, there may be opportunities arising. Elsewhere, ditch blocking plans and scrub/ tree removal plans have been made for SSSI raised bog sites at Threepwood Moss and, most recently, at Din Moss, Yetholm. At Drone Moss, Coldingham, follow-up seedling and scrub removal work was assessed to inform the next phase of peatland restoration work there. (The control of tree and shrub seedlings is part of the ongoing management of lowland raised Actively eroding haggs: the vegetation above the vertical edges will keep breaking off and open up a new bare peat front mainly due to sheep rubbing or wind originally caused, perhaps, by historic heavy grazing or muirburn on blanket bog which causes the vegetation to be much less resilient. 8 In the last year, we received funding for two Borders sites. Firstly, further ditch blocking and a tree felling plan at Whim Bog SSSI (following on from work in 2015) plus a peat depth survey over the remainder of the site. Secondly, an extensive peat depth survey on blanket bog (ca. 250ha actively eroding peat haggs identified) and peatland restoration in the Megget catchment. Re-profiling of actively eroding haggs is an instant fix method of restoration but is not currently funded through the Agri- bogs, as generally there will be a source of plant seeds close to these sites.) These plans are an essential for SRDP applications and are part of the longer term management plans for the sites. Often these SSSI sites have a history of shared ownership, so having someone like the Peatland Action project officer speaking with the various parties involved makes it more likely that the sites are actively managed. If you want to see peatland restoration in action go to http://bit.ly/snh_peatlands click on Videos and Guidance
Habitats and Species A 5m deep megahagg near Loch Skene. Eventually peat haggs can become shrinking islands and then disappear completely Whim Bog: this big wide ditch at Whim, typical for the site, needed more than just plastic piling in order to create a reliable dam. Wooden supports were attached to the back of the plastic to reinforce the structure so that, in the event of high rainfall, the dam will stand firm. The plan is to add to the dam network on Whim to increase water levels further. Naturally healed hagg: if grazing pressure is much reduced, or completely removed, the eroding edges can heal. The process of hagg re-profiling can speed this process up by taking the vertical edge back to about 40 degrees and covering the bare peat by flipping vegetation over it or using vegetation from a borrow pit. This is an almost instant fix to stop further peat erosion. 9
Habitats and Species Peatland Action Fund (cont.) Peatland at Carrifran, Talla and Gameshope Tweed Forum and Peatland Action are working to survey and restore blanket bogs at the top of the Tweed catchment and beyond. Project officers Maggie Magee and Dr Emily Taylor identified areas at Carrifran and Talla in the Tweedsmuir Hills where erosion was leading to severe peat loss. A variety of techniques were used to re-establish sphagnum moss on re-wetted areas, including ditch blocking, re-profiling, geotextile (jute and sisal) covering and re-seeding with sphagnum. Volunteers from Borders Forest Trust were on hand to help with the geotextile work, and local contractors used specialist low-ground pressure equipment to block up ditches with peat. A very successful demonstration day for contractors was held near the Megget Stane in April. We hope that the Peatland Action fund will re-open at some point, so that the large-scale works we have identified can be carried out. Restoring bare peat using jute mesh. The mesh helps to keep the surface damp and allows Sphagnum mosses to become re-established. Typical peat hagg slab erosion, at the edge of the peat mantle 10
Habitats and Species Grants up to 1,000 Available Borders Tree Planting Grant Scheme This scheme offers funding for small-scale tree planting in the Scottish Borders The Borders Tree Planting Grant Scheme is now one year old. Since its launch there has been steady interest from applicants wishing to establish native trees on their land. There has been a very worthwhile mix of field corner copses, hedgerow trees, lines of trees, parkland trees and small orchards planted across the Borders. 46 approved applications have resulted in over 6,000 landscape trees being planted. This is all the more important due to the spread of Ash dieback, which could well take out up to 90% of our native Ash trees. The Borders Tree Planting Grant can offer financial assistance to plant individual trees or small clumps of trees, in order to retain this landscape resource for the benefit of people, communities and wildlife. Trees planted in the appropriate place can have a beneficial effect on reducing flooding, controlling diffuse pollution and helping wildlife. WHO CAN APPLY? The project is open to individuals and organisations who may wish to consider: Hedgerow tree planting, Parkland tree planting, Orchard planting and Small native woodland planting (less than 0.25ha), that will enhance the landscape and biodiversity of the Borders and make a positive contribution to improved public amenity. FUNDING LEVELS The grant can give assistance in two different ways to suit the specific project i.e.: Up to 100% of material costs (for trees and appropriate shelters, guards, stakes, fencing, mulch mats, etc.) for private applications from farmers, landowners and individuals (excluding VAT if reclaimable), or; Up to 100% of materials and labour costs for non-profit-making organisations such as schools and community groups (including VAT if not reclaimable). The maximum grant available is 1,000 per applicant per year. FUNDERS The scheme is funded by Forestry Commission Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland, Fallago Environment Fund and Scottish Borders Council. It is administered by Tweed Forum and Borders Forest Trust. APPLICATION FORMS & FURTHER INFORMATION The application process is online and forms can be downloaded from the Tweed Forum and Borders Forest Trust websites at www.tweedforum.org and www.bordersforesttrust.org. Tweed Forum and Borders Forest Trust staff can give guidance and assist in the planting design and species choice. 11
Tweed Forum At the heart of land and water management on Tweed 1991 Formation Tweed Forum began due to concerns about unregulated river engineering Tweed Rivers Heritage Project 1999 The Natural Heritage Interpretation & Education Tweed Rivers Heritage Project (TRHP) Launch of the 9 million TRHP and Tweed Forum consolidated as a company and charitable trust 2000 Access & Recreation Habitats & Species 2002 Tweed Rivers Heritage Project Tweed Catchment Management Plan 2005 The Launch of the River Basin Planning Framework on Tweed Built & Cultural Heritage 12
AND CMP DEVELOPMENT NOVEMBER 2003 VERSION 1 WATER If Paradise be a renewal of what was happy and innocent in our earthly days, mine will be some golden afternoon within sight and sound of Tweed John Buchan (1940) RESOURCES Tourism & Recreation Key Milestones in the evolution of Tweed Forum 1991-2016 Tweed Catchment Management Plan TWEED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN WATER QUALITY AND DELIVERY RECREATION HABITATS AND TOURISM SPECIES FLOOD MANAGEMENT RIVERWORKS Water Quality Tweed Forum wins the inaugural UK River Prize Water Resources 2010 Natural Flood Management (NFM) becomes a major focus for Tweed Forum FALLAGO ENVIRONMENT FUND Environment Fund Launch of the Fallago Environment Fund 2013 2015 Tweed awarded UNESCO Demonstration catchment status Tweed Forum helps deliver the Land Use Strategy pilot and the ecosystem services philosophy 13
Habitats and Species Tweed Invasives Project Our long-term control of Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed continues Tweed Forum have just embarked on the 2016 invasive non-native species control season. This year will mark 14 years of control effort on the target species Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed. Himalayan Balsam will be tackled on the River Till only and will continue again from April. However, there is a new non-native invasive species on the scene, spotted along the banks of the Upper Tweed near Cardrona - American Skunk Cabbage, Lysichiton americanus, pictured right. This has now been traced back to a number NEWS FLASH! of sources near Peebles and around Dawyck. We can now announce that the Tweed Forum staff Gala Water Invasives Project has are putting important been awarded 10,000 from the biosecurity measures in Tesco Bags of Help initiative, which is place this summer to funded from the 5p plastic bag charge. prevent this plant from The project will involve working spreading any further with the Gala Waterways Group and on the River Tweed. A aims to control Giant Hogweed and key element of this is Japanese Knotweed along the Gala to locate the plants Water, opening up access to the river within the catchment and making the riverside a safer, nicer and then quickly control place to be. Training will be given to them, therefore we are group members to ensure they can encouraging members continue to improve their local area of the public to report www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp. sightings of this plant to us. Skunk Cabbage produces bright yellow flowers in early Spring. These emit a pungent smell, hence the name. Plants can reach up to 1.5m in height and form dense stands, shading out native vegetation. INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT! American Skunk Cabbage have you seen this plant? Please get in touch by calling Emily at Tweed Forum on 01896 849723 or email info@tweedforum.org 14
Flood Management & Climate Change Eddleston Water Project Funded by Scottish Government and SEPA, this project aims to restore natural habitats and reduce flood risk in Eddleston village and Peebles Amazingly, the Eddleston largely escaped the big winter storms of Desmond, Eva and Frank. Whilst parts of the Borders such as the Teviot, Ettrick and Upper Tweed all experienced huge floods, along with damage to towns such as Hawick, levels on the Eddleston were not of the same scale and thus the many measures we have put in place were not properly tested. Results thus far show that the log high flow restrictors, placed on one of the Eddleston tributaries, do have a significant effect on delaying the flood (of over an hour). This is significant when trying to de-couple neighbouring tributaries and thus reduce flood peaks downstream. The other significant finding is that infiltration rates (into the soil) are seven to eight times more effective on wooded ground compared to grassland and that old native woodlands have the best infiltration rates of all. This is important when trying to reduce overland flow on valley slopes. One big achievement has been securing EU Interreg funding that will help support monitoring efforts over the next four years. Tweed Forum and the Scottish Government are part of a consortium including the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Belgium that will be participating in the Building with Nature project. This will establish catchment laboratories to evaluate the contribution that restoration can make to flood alleviation. New attenuation ponds at Cloich - these ponds have considerable free board built in so they take a while to fill up and overspill during high rainfall events 15
Flood Management & Climate Change below: Lake Wood site, re-meandered section under low flow conditions and right: under high flow conditions Practical works at Eddleston a closer look So far the project has implemented the following on 17 different farms: 66 hectares of riparian woodland created which will help increase rainfall interception, evapotranspiration, soil infiltration and slow overland flow 16,000 metres of fencing erected and over 70,000 native trees planted 1.8km of river re-meandered. This has increased river length, reduced the slope and speed of the water flow and provided more space for floodwaters, as well as creating new habitats and improving the landscape. 89 high flow restrictors installed that will encourage out of bank flow and hold back water in the headwaters 19 leaky ponds created (5,000 square metres). These wetland features have a good deal of free board built in so that they will store water during intense rainfall events. Further Forestry Grant Scheme funding is being sought and, if we are successful, this will add to the 66ha of native riparian woodlands already planted. In addition, seven large balancing ponds have been constructed - these are designed to hold back floodwaters and release the water slowly into streams. On the Middle Burn, which runs through conifer forest, a further 25 log high flow restrictors have been placed along a 1.5km stretch. These will augment the ten already in place, which have proved to be very effective at slowing down high flows. On 27th December 2015, heavy rainfall in the Eddleston catchment resulted in some high flood levels, and we managed to capture an aerial image of our re-meandered stretch at Lake Wood whilst it was flooded. The photos show that the river is behaving as we had hoped and is now reconnected to the floodplain (where water is naturally held and does no damage). Dundee University were on site during this event and could confirm that it was not as big as the event in the summer of 2012. Feedback from local people was positive and they felt the works had helped reduce the severity of the flood. 16
Flood Management & Climate Change Upper Teviot NFM The Teviot catchment above Hawick generates severe floods, which can cause serious damage to the town, as seen in January of this year. The Hawick Flood Protection Scheme is being led by Scottish Borders Council and we are in discussion with their team about the role natural flood management techniques might play in helping reduce the risk of flooding. Tweed Forum has already worked on farms in the catchment, such as Bowanhill, where a 4ha new wet woodland and 400m new stream channel was formed to allow the Teviot to reconnect with its floodplain. Near Craik, on the Borthwick Water, a straightened meander in the river was reinstated, and on the Hoscote Burn a trial is in place to see how best to reinstate natural river features on a stream which has been under deep conifer shade for the last 50 years. Tweed Forum hopes to visit a good proportion of the farmers in the upper Teviot catchment later in 2016, to discuss the potential for introducing natural flood management features on their land. Natural Flood Management projects reach new audiences Extreme flooding events in southern Scotland/ northern England at the turn of the year aroused a flurry of media interest in Tweed Forum s natural flood management (NFM) initiatives. Both the Eddleston Water Project and the Long Philipburn NFM scheme featured on various BBC programmes (Out of Doors, Landward, BBC News) as well as the BBC news website. We also hosted 50 delegates who were attending the World Water Congress 2015 in Edinburgh. The delegates, from Japan, Philippines, Mexico, USA, Canada and Italy, visited sites in the Eddleston catchment and were very interested in our work there. Other international visitors include students from Latvia, Brazil, China, Slovakia, France and the Dominican Republic. Closer to home, Forestry Commission managers from the south of Scotland visited the Eddleston catchment to look at the designs for log high flow restrictors, with a view to implementing a whole suite of NFM measures in all public forests managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. Please visit our Tweed Forum Facebook page for more details. World Water Congress delegates visit a re-meandered section of the Eddleston Water 17
Flood Management & Climate Change Gala Water Natural Flood Management project The Dun Law Windfarm Extension habitat mitigation project has created habitat enhancement and natural flood management on the upper Gala Water At the head of the Gala Water catchment, near the village of Heriot, Tweed Forum has worked with farmers to establish over 50ha of new native riparian woodland. This is bringing multiple benefits to the area, in particular wildlife habitat connectivity, reduction of farm livestock losses and, over time, a small reduction in flood risk to Galashiels. At Crookston Farm a further 23ha of woodland is planned, with a funding package from the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme and Forest Carbon. This new area of woodland will add to the already significant amount of woodland at Crookston, and all this has been achieved without any loss in productivity on a farm which is renowned for its quality sheep and cattle. A steady flow of students, policy makers and academics have visited Crookston over the last five years, taking with them the message that integrated land use brings many advantages. Pupils from Belhaven School (with parents in tow) helping plant trees on the Shiplaw Burn Students from SRUC Elmwood: planting trees on a water margin site at Eddleston 18
Other News Spreading the word a national role in promoting Natural Flood Management The winter of 2015/16 saw some of the highest flood levels ever recorded within the Tweed catchment. Officially, it was the warmest, wettest winter on record in Britain. The number and intensity of rainfall events throughout December and January brought the spotlight fully onto the NFM work that Tweed Forum and Scottish Borders Council are doing to help alleviate flood risk. Many community-led groups have visited our demonstration catchments to see NFM measures in situ. In addition, Tweed Forum has been running an educational outreach programme, taking our NFM catchment models into schools and to agricultural shows. Emily Iles, the newest member of Tweed Forum, has been responsible for taking our interactive catchment models out and about to local schools. A typical visit has involved exploring the concept of a river and its catchment, as well as how land management has changed over the years thereby affecting the river which flows through it. An experiment is conducted, using the models, which allows us to show the differences in surface water run-off between an intensively managed landscape and a more sympathetically managed landscape. Pupils draw and discuss their results, including where the different natural flood management (NFM) features might be best suited to their local area. It is not just classroom lessons that help to spread the message of NFM and the work of Tweed Forum. A very enthusiastic group from Belhavenhill School helped Emily beat-up and re-plant trees along the Shiplaw Burn, a tributary belonging to the Eddleston Water Project. Pupils learned first-hand about the practical aspects of implementing NFM measures, such as planting trees and the aftercare involved. This year Tweed Forum will be attending the BUAS Schools Countryside Day, which involves 1,200 local pupils, along with other shows and events this summer such as the Royal Highland Show and The Scottish Game Fair. The aim is to raise awareness of NFM and the work of the Forum by using the models to demonstrate the importance of integrated catchment management and instill in our younger generation an interest in the natural world. The flooded rivers Teviot and Tweed at Kelso in December 2015; the driver of the car floating downstream was rescued soon after Max, from Lilliesleaf Primary School: I really liked the models, they showed how water acts after it has fallen as rain 19
Other News NFM handbook In January, Tweed Forum helped launch the Natural Flood Management Handbook. This comprehensive guide, produced by SEPA, covers all aspects of scoping, designing, funding and delivering NFM measures. The handbook is primarily aimed at local authorities (who have a statutory duty to consider NFM) but will also be useful to those with a general interest in NFM and habitat restoration. The launch event was very well attended, with Tweed Forum giving a lessons learned presentation using examples from several of our NFM projects. Natural Flood Management Handbook Digging the new channel on the Eddleston Water 20
Other News Non-Technical Natural Flood Management (NFM) Information Notes Tweed Forum has produced ten nontechnical summary information notes which describe various NFM methods employed by farmers at our Demonstration Catchment Sites. These notes are available at www.tweedforum.org/publications and outline the multiple benefits that can be achieved by implementing NFM measures. Topics covered include: establishing floodplain woodland and wetland habitats; sustainable riverbank management and restoration; and re-meandering straightened watercourses. Case study 4 Case study 3 creating flow restrictors, protecting banksides Case study sustainable riverbank management and restoration creating FloodplaiN WoodlaNd and WetlaNd habitats CASE STUDY 2 1 Case study 5 ESTABLISHING FLOODPLAIN WOODLANDS re-meandering of a straightened watercourse NoN-techNical summary NoN-techNical summary NoN-techNical summary Implementing Natural Flood Management (NFM) Measures NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Implementing Natural Flood Implementing Natural Flood Management (NFM) Measures Management (NFM) Measures Implementing Natural Flood Management (NFM) Measures NoN-techNical summary Implementing Natural Flood Management (NFM) Measures LOCATION Crookston Farm, Armet Water, Stow, Galashiels, Selkirkshire AIM To slow down rain water run-off rates to reduce flooding. LoCatIoN SUMMARY 24.00ha of floodplain and hill slope land was planted with native woodland to help alleviate flooding in towns downstream. Kelsocleuch, Bowmont Valley, Roxburghshire Tweed Forum has produced 10 case studies covering a wide range of Natural Flood Management measures aim LoCatIoN Clifton-on-Bowmont, Roxburghshire summary To slow down rainwater run-off rates to reduce flooding and to capture coarse sediments Five different natural flood management methods were undertaken:1. Grade Control Engineered Log Jams, 2. Bank Protection Engineered Log Jams, 3. Bar Apex Engineered Log Jams, 4. Flow restrictors, 5. New native woodland planting and transverse hedge planting LoCatIoN Bowanhill Farm, Teviothead, Roxburghshire aim To slow down rain water run-off rates to reduce aim flooding To slow and down restore rain banksides water run-off rates to reduce flooding summary Four different methods of bank-side protection were summary undertaken: 3.87ha of 1. floodplain Timber revetment, was planted 2. Filtrexx with native tubing, 3. Willow woodland spiling to and help 4. alleviate Engineered flooding log jams in the town of Hawick, downstream. A new stream channel was dug to protect silage production on adjacent land LoCatIoN Shiphorns and Shiplaw Farms, Eddleston Water, Peeblesshire aim To slow down rainwater run-off rates to reduce flooding and naturalise the river systemt summary Six different measures were implemented: 1. Re-meandering of 400m of the Eddleston Water, 2. Embankment removal along the straightened river, 3. Root wad bank-side protection, 4. Pond and pool creation, 5. 2.00ha of riverine tree planting and 6. 17.15ha of new native woodland planting Networking, raising awareness, education and communication Tweed Forum staff were very active over the last year, hosting or giving talks at over 40 different events, including: presentations at conferences demonstrating our catchment models at shows and education events hosting site visits for a variety of policy and special interest groups school trips organising community meetings, workshops and other stakeholder events on a variety of subjects from riverworks to wider land use management 21
Other News Forestry Grant Scheme The new forestry grant scheme is open to applicants. The rates for new woodland planting are good and, unlike agri-environment schemes, there is no closing date for applications. Tweed Forum would be happy to discuss new planting opportunities, especially with respect to native tree planting schemes. Supporting information for the forestry grant scheme is at http://www.gov.scot/topics/farmingrural/srdp Cowdenknowes Mains features a wide variety of farmland habitats including extensive areas of mature amenity woodlands Agri-Environment & Farm Woodlands Workshop In late November, SRUC and Tweed Forum held a practical farm walk and workshop event at Cowdenknowes Mains, near Earlston. The aim was to discuss the potential for wildlife conservation and woodland planting. Over 35 people attended, which led to a full and frank debate about land management opportunities. Almost every farm has opportunities for environmental enhancement. These may range from modest features such as planting small copses or creating ponds, to implementing largescale moorland management and grazing plans. What is becoming clear is that these opportunities are best taken in partnership with others. The scale of environmental project delivery is becoming increasingly important. For conservation schemes to become truly integrated there needs to be a raised awareness of the multiple benefits that a coordinated conservation programme can bring to the farm and the catchment. Many local and national policy drivers can only really be delivered successfully with farmer engagement. Drivers such as natural flood management, biodiversity enhancement, soil and water conservation, woodland expansion and food security etc., can really only be delivered and sustained at a certain scale. The optimum scale is increasingly seen as the sub-catchment. 22
Other News Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020 Agri-Environment Scheme The new Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) was launched last Spring. Even though the application window was very short (just three months), over 1,200 agri-environment schemes were submitted across Scotland. Competition was intense, with only the strongest schemes winning through. Several Tweed Forumled applications, on behalf of farmer clients, numbered amongst those successful schemes. These ranged from small wildflower grassland management schemes to large moorland management plans, where heather and peatland restoration was key. Looking forward to the next application window, Tweed Forum can also undertake Farm Environment Audits, which form the basis of the new scheme. We can prepare all the paperwork and submit the application online. If you are interested in discussing the SRDP potential of your farm, then Tweed Forum would be happy to visit this summer, to talk things through. Please contact us to discuss or visit http://www.gov.scot/topics/farmingrural/srdp The Scottish Rural Development Programme is proving popular with farmers wishing to assist with wildlife conservation targets 23
Confluence Consulting is the external trading arm of Tweed Forum, providing a wide range of ecological and project management services to both private and public sector clients Tweed Forum is at the forefront of Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) and, over the years, it has built up a track record of working with land managers to achieve practical works that deliver multiple benefits. All proceeds from the consultancy go towards the running of the charitable objectives of Tweed Forum - enhancing the river and its catchment. Individually tailored services are offered at highly competitive rates and cover a wide range of environmental services including: Staff update In early summer last year we welcomed Emily Iles to the Tweed Forum team. Since joining, Emily has successfully overhauled our ongoing invasive species programme, as well as leading on education and outreach work throughout the catchment. Emily is also working with other Forum staff in helping local land managers make applications to the Scottish Rural Development Programme scheme. Emily has a B.Sc.(Hons) in Wildlife and Conservation from the University of Kent and previously worked in environmental education and invasive species control on the River Nith. Agri-environment scheme applications - the entire process from initial on-farm visit through to completed application Native woodland planting applications and design plans we can offer advice, design the woodlands, draw up the plan and complete the forms Phase I Habitat surveying and mapping for new business developments Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ecology Section River corridor surveying and management Pond design and wetland management Wildflower grassland management and creation Hedgerow management Invasive plant species (Giant Hogweed/ Japanese Knotweed) surveying and control Otter surveys (as part of a planning application) Badger surveys Water vole surveys Breeding bird surveys Environmental project management GIS mapping and surveying using GPS Aerial survey footage via remotecontrolled drone Input to environmental education and training programmes Advice and assistance with fundraising and project development Japanese Knotweed 24
Tweed Forum Funding Due to the complexity and number of project funders we are unable to list all the contributing bodies in the relevant sections of the newsletter. However, the following have contributed to Tweed Forum, and associated projects, over the last year. We are extremely grateful for their support. - British Geological Survey - Catchment Partnership Action Fund - Dundee University - EDF Renewables - Environment Agency - Forest Carbon - Forestry Commission Scotland - Interreg North Sea Region Building with Nature European Regional Development Fund - Natural England - Northumberland National Park Authority - Northumbrian Water - River Tweed Commission - Roxburghe Estates - Scottish Borders Council - Scottish Environment Protection Agency - The Scottish Government - Scottish Natural Heritage - The Water Environment Fund - The Woodland Trust - Tweed Foundation and a large number of farmers and landowners Tweed Forum trustees and staff Tweed Forum is guided and supported by the board of trustees who give their time, knowledge and experience freely and we are extremely grateful for their input. James Hepburne Scott (Chair) Simon Henderson Norman Howitt Andrew Midgley Debbie Playfair Prof. Chris Spray Tweed Forum staff are: Luke Comins, Director...luke.comins@tweedforum.org Janet Landells, Finance/Office Manager...janet.landells@tweedforum.org Hugh Chalmers, Collaborative Action Coordinator...hugh.chalmers@tweedforum.org Derek Robeson, Senior Project Officer...derek.robeson@tweedforum.org Alex Baillie, Project Officer...alex.baillie@tweedforum.org Emily Iles, Project Officer...emily.iles@tweedforum.org
AT THE HEART OF LAND & WATER MANAGEMENT ON TWEED Tweed Forum, South Court, Drygrange Steading, Melrose, TD6 9DJ T 01896 849723 E info@tweedforum.org www.tweedforum.org