Nature proves its worth as rewetting and nature-based solutions to tackle climate change ensure National Trust estate thrives in one of the hottest UK summers on record

The nature‑based solutions introduced by the Estate’s countryside team over the past decade through its ‘Stage 0’ river reset, wetland creation and the reintroduction of beavers have simultaneously tackled drought, flooding, biodiversity loss and helped ease pressures on local farmers — providing a model for how the UK can respond to the twin climate and nature crises.

Ben Eardley, Project Manager at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate said: “Nature is providing solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today.

"For generations as a nation we've drained wetlands, straightened rivers and moved water off the land as quickly as possible. Here we've reversed that approach and the results are remarkable.

"By reconnecting river systems with the surrounding area and creating natural sponges in the landscape, we've created a system that stores water during drought keeping wetlands and the surrounding habitats healthy and slows water during storms and periods of extreme rainfall helping to protect villages from the risk of flooding downstream. The same natural processes that help wildlife recover are also helping communities adapt to climate change – caused by the continued extraction and use of fossil fuels.

"Evidence shows that nature-based solutions can reduce flood risk, improve water quality, increase biodiversity and build resilience to drought at the same time. Nature shouldn't be viewed as a cost of climate adaptation. It should be seen as one of our greatest allies."

With more than 90 per cent of the UK's wetlands lost over the last century, restoring these habitats is becoming increasingly important for climate adaptation, water security and nature recovery.

The return of beavers to Holnicote is also helping accelerate the wider ambitions to hold more water across the landscape. Following successful enclosed trials, several pairs of beavers were released into the wild across the estate earlier this year, where they are now helping create and maintain wetlands, ponds and complex freshwater habitats across the catchment.

Harry Bowell, the National Trust’s Director of Land and Nature says: “In a year defined by extreme heat and lack of rain, Holnicote is proof that working with nature is a must for tackling climate change.

“This year’s summer has been a stark warning of how our weather systems are changing. Climate change is no longer something of the future – it's happening here and now. With another El Nino predicted for next year it’s likely many more of us will be subject to more frequent floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires, and we are not immune.

“We have experienced several devastating fires on our own land over the past few months – including most recently the fire that ripped through the lowland heath at Dunwich – destroying decades of painstaking restoration work. It’s places like Holnicote where nature is showing us the way – demonstrating how by treating and investing in nature as essential infrastructure we can create landscapes that are more resilient to benefit communities and nature alike.

“We are therefore calling on Government to step up its efforts and to invest in nature-based solutions to help the country become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate.”

Members of the public can support this call by signing the National Trust’s petition: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wildfire-petition

The pressures being felt by farmers are increasingly being recognised nationally. The Government recently announced a support package to help the sector cope with the impacts of prolonged drought and extreme heat. Against this backdrop, the restored wetlands at Holnicote are helping provide a more resilient grazing resource for local livestock.

Holly Purdy, a National Trust tenant farmer said "This year, we entered a grazing agreement to bring cattle onto the wetland restoration site at Holnicote, helping to build a more diverse grazing platform and increase resilience within our farm.

“Diversity of habitats within a farm ensures animals benefit from varied grazing throughout the season; we can be more dynamic in our farms approach and reduce grazing at our main farm in summer to build deferred forage for the winter which in turn reduces our hay use during winter.

“The River Aller site has been particularly beneficial for our 2–3 year old beef shorthorn steers, the variety of plants to graze and browse is key to success for the native breed, with our steers having flourished on the site.

“During the high temperatures and drought this summer, the river site also offered significant cooling and shade, with grazing on wetland plant species within the river system that continued to grow despite the dry conditions.”