An exciting project to boost biodiversity whilst incorporating natural flood management measures has been given the go-ahead in the Pool of Muckhart community.

The Natural Devon – Pool of Muckhart Natural Flood Management Initiative has received funding from NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund to deliver a series of improvements to support biodiversity whilst aiming to slow the flow through the creation of flood overflow channels, wetland scrapes, leaky dams and reconnecting a historically straightened channel to its floodplain.

The project is a partnership between Clackmannanshire Council, Pool of Muckhart Flood Group, Muckhart Church and Forth Rivers Trust to support natural flood management measures helping reduce the impact of flooding downstream of the site whilst boosting the area for biodiversity.  The community have been at the heart of the project, developed alongside the flood group with their ideas and suggestions helping shape what will be delivered.

Natural flood management aims to mimic nature by implementing natural processes and features which help contribute to a healthy catchment. Many of our rivers have been straightened with floodplains built on to make way for people. Restoring these natural processes throughout our catchments in areas that can be restored can help the landscape recover whilst benefiting wildlife and communities.

Over the next few weeks, at the beginning of May, the first stages of the project will begin with works taking place in the Glebe field. You may see diggers and a hive of activity to create the many features being installed as part of the project. We also plan to hold an event for the community to get involved in making their area better for wildlife. A wildflower seed sewing day will be had where community members can help us spread wildflowers along the overflow channels and new scrapes.

Councillor Fiona Law, Clackmannanshire Council’s Spokesperson for Environment and Net Zero / Champion for Climate Change said : “The Council is delighted to have been working on this joint Natural Flood Management project with the Muckhart Flood Group, Forth Rivers Trust, local residents and landowners.  The project aims to better protect properties from flood risk but also supports improved biodiversity and enhanced local habitat.  The project’s delivery, with vital funding from NatureScot, clearly demonstrates that working in partnership with communities can deliver practical benefits for all involved.”

Iain McDonald, Clackmannanshire Council’s Senior Manager – Environment said: “This project is a fantastic example of how communities in partnership with the Council are able to solve and mitigate against climate change whilst improving their own environment and local nature.”

Jonathan Bacon from the Pool of Muckhart Flood Group said: “The Community were conscious of the increased flood risk and impact the more intense rainfall was having on the existing storm flow provisions therefore set up a flood group that could work with Clackmannanshire Council and the resilience team to develop a strategy. The adoption of natural flood defences was preferred as it not only provides an effective solution but demonstrates the benefits of working with an environmental focus. We have also been able to engage with the local school, residents and the workforce to learn, maintain and construct the project and to promote wider biodiversity in the community.”

John Anderson from Muckhart Parish Church said: “the church are pleased to be actively involved with this community project to install natural flood measures in the Glebe Field, which will significantly contribute to reducing flood risk within the village, whilst at the same time promoting local biodiversity.”

Jonathan Louis, Interim Director of the Forth Rivers Trust, said: Supporting wildlife and communities is a vital part of what the Trust aims to achieve. We are a conservation charity that can help community ideas come to fruition, which is what we have supported at Pool of Muckhart by helping the community develop their project, which will benefit homes and wildlife locally by slowing the flow and protecting areas downstream from flooding. Many measures will help local wildlife, from newts, frogs, wading birds and much more, boosting wetland habitats and increasing local biodiversity whilst providing a practical benefit to communities downstream.

The project has received funding from NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund, matched by money from the European Union via the MERLIN project, and has had ongoing technical support from Clackmannanshire Council.

If you would like to get involved, message the Forth Rivers Trust or stay tuned into local community news boards for when this event will happen.