Online platform will help to share flood protection ideas

A new website has been launched to help raise awareness of flood management and encourage collaboration between anyone interested in working with nature to reduce flood risk.

The Natural Flood Management (NFM) Network Scotland, was launched at an event organised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), the Environment Agency and the Chartered Institute of Water and Environment Management.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said the Scottish Government was committing £42 million annually to protect homes in many of the most flood-prone areas.

“To fully capitalise on this, it is essential that we share our excellent practical and scientific skills, and this new network will help ensure that natural flood management actions are successfully delivered across Scotland,” she said.

Sepa chief executive Terry A’Hearn said a vital part of being better prepared for future increased flooding meant working with partners to identify how we can better manage flood risk and the NFM Network Scotland portal would be of great benefit to staff in their roles.

“Natural Flood Management means working more with nature to reduce flood risk, but it also provides an opportunity to improve natural habitats for wildlife and increase community amenity,” he said.

“It is a great real-world example of taking an environmental threat, in this case flooding, and using it as an opportunity to provide mutual benefits for local communities, the environment and the economy.”

Dr Mark Wilkinson, of the James Hutton Institute, said: “After following a simple registration process, the web platform allows users to add their own news, events, resources and case study contributions. Users also have the opportunity to connect with others involved in similar projects, research or activities.”

Users of the website can add their own news, events and case study contributions.