The new film ‘Farming the Flood’ highlights an innovative approach to flood prevention using nature-based techniques, brought to life through the collaboration of local farmers in Dartmoor, UK. This documentary shows how farming can contribute to reducing flooding while enhancing biodiversity. It also demonstrates how these approaches align with farmers’ business interests, making them sustainable for both the environment and the agricultural industry.
A Nature-Based Approach to Flood Management
The film is a joint effort between the Dartmoor Headwaters Project and several local organisations, including Dartmoor National Park Authority. It reveals how farmers in the Dartmoor region are using nature-based flood management techniques to protect communities from floods while also restoring the local environment. The film showcases real-life examples of how nature can be a powerful ally in combating climate change and its related risks, such as flooding.
The Dartmoor Headwaters Project plays a vital role in supporting farmers and landowners in the Okement, Bovey, and other surrounding catchments. By providing guidance and funding, the project helps implement solutions that naturally manage flood risks while supporting biodiversity. These efforts are crucial as the UK faces increasingly extreme weather patterns, with predictions of 30% more rainfall by 2070, leading to significantly higher river flows.
Local Farmers Leading the Charge
Filmed by South West-based filmmaker Harrison Wood, the documentary highlights local farmers, like Nick Viney of Leewood Studios, who are actively working to restore ecosystems and implement sustainable farming practices. The film shows how these farmers, by reintroducing wetlands, restoring floodplain meadows, and practicing sustainable grazing, are not only helping to mitigate flood risks but also enhancing carbon storage and improving biodiversity.
These nature-based solutions have a dual benefit: they slow the flow of water during heavy rains, reducing the likelihood of downstream flooding, and they contribute to a healthier environment by restoring vital ecosystems. These measures help protect wildlife and also improve the long-term resilience of farming operations against the growing pressures of climate change, such as drought and increased flooding.
Government and Private Support for Farmers
One of the key messages of ‘Farming the Flood’ is that these innovative flood management techniques are accessible to farmers of all backgrounds. Government and private grants are available to help fund these nature-based solutions, making them an option for both small-scale and large-scale farmers. This support helps farmers implement practices that contribute to flood mitigation while maintaining productive and profitable farms.
Pamela Woods of Dartmoor National Park noted that the increase in rainfall and river flow expected in the coming decades will exacerbate flood risks. ‘Farming the Flood’ presents these complex challenges in a positive light, showing how practical solutions, supported by funding, can help alleviate some of the risks posed by climate change.
The Role of Farmers in Tackling Climate and Biodiversity Crises
The film also draws attention to the broader role farmers play in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. As Tom Dauben, senior advisor at the Environment Agency, explains, “Every field has a part to play in tackling these issues.” Farmers have the potential to be key players in the solution, not just by providing food, but also by actively shaping the landscape in ways that reduce environmental risks.
The documentary also highlights that, while the film’s focus is on Dartmoor, the techniques showcased can be applied across the country. By working with nature rather than against it, farmers can play a significant role in restoring ecosystems, improving water management, and contributing to the overall resilience of the environment.
‘Farming the Flood’ offers a hopeful and practical perspective on how farming can be part of the solution to the environmental challenges we face today. By using nature-based flood management techniques, farmers can help reduce flooding risks, restore biodiversity, and support sustainable farming practices. This film is a testament to the dedication of farmers who are not only protecting their land but also working to improve the environment for future generations.
