Wyescapes: Building Landscape Resilience 

In our last newsletter, we celebrated the submission of our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery plans to Defra. And over the last six months, these plans have been progressing through Defra’s thorough assurance and review process.

The Defra team, together with experts from the Environment Agency and other statutory bodies including Natural England and the Forestry Commission, have now reviewed our proposals in depth. In July, we received their detailed follow-up questions, and at the beginning of September, we submitted additional information and explanations they had requested.

We understand that a review panel will meet in October to assess Wyescapes propsoals and confirm whether we can progress to the next stage of negotiation - in which the financial support from Defra and contract terms must be agreed.

Meanwhile, on the ground, farmers in Herefordshire have been sweating it out through the enormous challenges of yet another summer of extreme heat and drought. Herefordshire was formally declared to be in drought in late July, following a month with virtually no rain, while the series of heatwaves we’ve experienced between May and August, steadily desiccated the landscape.

The Met Office has provisionally confirmed this summer as the warmest since records began. Soils dried out and river levels fell to exceptionally low levels, and high water temperatures putt fish at extreme stress as warm water holds less oxygen. Farmers are describing this summer as the most challenging conditions for farming in 50 years, and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, anticipates record low yields for UK’s arable Harvest.

The experience of this summer highlights how imperative landscape-scale interventions, such as those proposed through Wyescapes, are to safeguard nature, water and food security as our climate changes. Our plans are designed to increase the resilience of farms and food production through healthy soils, planting trees and hedges, increasing water infiltration and water storage across the landscape, as well as creating more and better-connected natural habitats as refuge for wildlife.

Behind these big aspirations are 49 landholdings – families and businesses that are stepping up to make significant, long-term changes in the way they manage their land. We’re pleased to share the first of our Wyescapes farm features in this newsletter. Read on to find out more about Manor Farm in Monkland and the Rogers family’s plans for Wyescapes.

Wyescapes Views from Manor Farm

Read the full story to explore how land management has adapted, yet continues to be challenged by flooding. Find out how Wyescapes could provide a step-change to help the Rogers family create new wetland features, floodplain meadow and woodland - making space for both farming and nature to thrive alongside the river.

...CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Wyescapes Land Managers River Walk at Wharton Court

In the NEWS

Wyescapes farmer and board member Ben Andrews - @bentheoandrews has been advocating for farmers in recent media appearances highlighting severe impacts of heat and drought this summer and the importance of find ways to create more natural resilience in the landscape.

Following a Defra video in which Ben was interviewed by the new Farming Minister, Stephen Morgan MP, at Groundswell regenerative agriculture show, he was recently filmed for BBC Countryfile explaining the devastating impact of drought for growing his organic vegetables.

For Sky News, Ben and another Wyescapes board member - Environmental Advisor and Member of the College of Experts at The Office for Environmental Protection, James Marsden, were interviewed for a report about the impacts of low water levels on the River Wye.

Images: BBC Countryfile 

Watch BBC Countryfile coverage

Watch Sky News Coverage



Watch Defra Instagram Video



Images: SkyNews

New Lugg Condition Assessment Report

The Wye and Lugg are among just 44 rivers in the UK designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) for their ecological value. The Lugg is one of the best examples of a British lowland clay river and is particularly important for its river plants and otter population.

In June, Natural England published its full condition assessment of the River Lugg SSSI. It confirms the provisional ‘unfavourable – declining’ classification given in 2023, based on 2025 fieldwork and states that the river’s condition has worsened in recent years.

The assessment identifies five major pressures on the river: excess phosphorus, fine sediment, old channel modifications, invasive non-native species and climate change. 

“The river faces multiple, interacting pressures from nutrient enrichment, siltation, physical modification, and invasive species which together undermine its ecological functioning. Climate change is likely to result in warmer temperatures, prolonged droughts & heavier rainfall, which amplifies existing pressures. Despite these challenges, the Lugg retains significant natural value, especially in its upper reaches, and shows clear potential for recovery with the right actions.”

The assessment divides the Lugg into four sections, two of which include land within the Wyescapes project. Our plans are strongly aligned with Natural England’s recommendations, with actions to reduce phosphorus and fine sediment entering the river, and to improve riparian habitat. Although the recommendation for river channel works (such as removing weirs and addressing over-deepened sections) is outside the scope of existing Wyescapes plans, it could form a part of future proposals.

Our project can only address pressures within parts of the Lugg  in our project area, but we hope to play an important role in wider efforts for the Lugg’s recovery. What we learn through Wyescapes – through practical land management interventions led by farmers and land managers – can help inform and inspire similar action elsewhere across the catchment.

Access the full report here.

News & events along the river

• Charter for the River Wye – On a sunny Sunday in May, in Hay-on-Wye, local authorities and environmental organisations gathered to formally sign the Charter for the River Wye. The Charter recognises six intrinsic rights of the river, including the rights to flow, biodiversity, freedom from pollution and a healthy catchment.

• Hereford ~ River City - Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have begun the development stage of this Heritage Fund supported project to restore Hereford’s brooks and create new wetland areas across the city, for wildlife to thrive and people to connect with nature within the urban landscape. Through partnership with Herefordshire Lore, this project will also explore the social histories of these waterways. Development is focused on brook surveys and getting local people's input to help shape plans. Read more about the project, or register your interest.

• Day of Action for Rivers and Wildlife  - organisations and community groups will be taking part in Herefordshire Wildlife Trusts’ annual Day of Action across Hereford on 26th September - details here including:
  - The Big Herefordshire Eat- Growing Local, 10am, The Kindle Centre 
  - Fun by the Brook!, Belmont, 10:30am-12:30pm
  - River Naturalness Survey Demo, Moor Park, 1pm-2:30pm
  - Bartonsham Apple Juicing Day, Bartonsham Meadows, 1pm-4pm

• The Ranunculus Project – Friends of the River Wye’s new project investigating the decline of the water crowfoot plant is getting underway.
  Join the family-friendly launch event at the Lost ARC, Rhayader on Sunday 27 September with something for everyone including talks, workshops, stalls, stories, and a themed bake-off! RSVP to the open invitation so you can join all the fun whilst learning about Ranunculus, the river and how to help it thrive.

• New book from Wyescapes farmer Ben Taylor-Davies of Townsend Farm – Congratulations to Ben on his publication of  More-On. The book tells the story of how deeply personal circumstances prompted Ben to rethink conventional, high-input farming and reshape both his farm and his life around regenerative principles. You can buy the book here.

Wyescapes Ecosystem Services

Wyescapes is developing a range of natural capital products from carbon and nutrient reduction credits to biodiversity uplift, as well as offering other nature-based solutions and unique ESG opportunities for an iconic landscape.

If your organisation is interested in partnering with Wyescapes or learning more about our ecosystem services offer, please get in touch to register your interest.

The Wyescapes project team

Please find below contact details for the project team at Herefordshire Rural Hub.

Kate Speke-Adams -
Hub Managing Director

director@herefordshireruralhub.co.uk

Jennie Hermolle -
Hub Wyescapes Engagement & Communications Manager

jennie@herefordshireruralhub.co.uk