Overview
The Allan Water Improvement Project works with landowners to engage sustainable land management in the Allan Water catchment with an aim of using nature to benefit rivers. Working with land managers to improve land use activities will have multiple benefits for the river, its wildlife and the communities which are located along the Allan Water supporting a range of activities such as farming the land more sustainably, improved resilience to flooding through NFM benefits and recreational opportunities such as angling, walking and more.
The Project seeks to work with land managers to provide support and advice to deliver Natural Flood Management benefits, improvements to the river to meet Water Framework Directive requirements and seek opportunities for multiple ecosystem benefits to the environment of the Allan Water catchment.
Objectives
Work with landowners and land managers to improve the water environment in the Allan Water catchment.
Work to improve rivers for wildlife through NFM projects and work towards improving rivers for the Water Framework Directive objectives.
Support landowners in improving their land management practices through advice and help with funding applications and works on the ground.
Funder
The Allan Water Project is funded by the Scottish Government. Individual projects are funded by multiple funders which can be seen within each project above.
MERLIN
As of April 2022, Forth Rivers Trust is part of the MERLIN project. This project, funded through the EU, aims to restore freshwater and peatland habitats on a European scale, seeking to combat the widespread loss of habitat and the effects of climate change. The Forth catchment is one of 17 case studies across Europe.
Works in the Forth catchment will focus on expanding and upscaling the work that been completed in the Allan Water Improvement Project, with in-river restoration works, increased riparian planting, floodplain reconnection and peatland restoration, among many other techniques.
Under the project, the Trust will be partnered with NatureScot, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), the James Hutton Institute and Stirling University.
