Partnership looks at ways of coping with changes to climate

Jun 19 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A PARTNERSHIP involving the Northumberland National Park and The Environment Agency is working closely with farmers in Glendale and north Northumberland to look at practical ways of coping with climate change.

The Cheviot Futures groups aims to ensure there is a more co-ordinated and streamlined approach from the organisations and projects in the area, as suggested in the feedback after the September 2008 floods.

The intention is that whatever the weather and whatever may happen, the stewardship of the land will be tackled by local people whose interest and livelihoods are bound up with its sustainability and future profit.

Their scheduled action plan has started and includes tree planting to reduce bank erosion, increase shade and slow down flood peaks, gravel management and grip blocking.

Peter Kerr, of the Environment Agency, said: “Members will be working together. We want to encourage farmers and land managers to take ownership, not only of their land, but of their future and the actions they can take to secure it.”

Cheviot Futures has already commissioned a study into the impact of the catastrophic floods in the Till catchment in early September and it has successfully applied for Leader funding from the RDPE leader for works at The Fenton Centre and Ingram Visitor Centre.