A year after completing an ambitious Stage Zero project on the Holnicote Estate<\/a> in Somerset, rangers say the site is unrecognisable.<\/p> \u00a0\u201cIt has gone bananas in terms of the amount of wildlife and lush vegetation growth that we\u2019ve seen,” says Holnicote Estate ranger Jack Siviter. But it’s not just nature that has benefited from the project \u2013 the work has improved water quality and reduced flood risk for downstream communities, too.<\/p> The objective for the Holnicote team was to reconnect a 1.2km section of the River Aller \u2013 the estate’s main watercourse \u2013 to its natural floodplain. The process involved filling in a straightened, artificially deepened stretch of the river, transforming the area into a thriving seven-hectare wetland \u2013 roughly the size of ten football fields.<\/p> Wetlands are critical habitats, not only for their biodiversity but also for their ability to store water, reduce flood risk and capture carbon. Yet, more than 90% of the UK\u2019s wetlands have been lost over the past century, contributing to the decline of many freshwater species. By restoring the natural dynamics of the River Aller, the Holnicote project has provided a powerful example of how we can begin to reverse this trend.<\/p> Despite facing England\u2019s wettest 18 months on record shortly after completion, the restored floodplain proved its worth. <\/p> It absorbed floodwaters, slowed their flow, and reduced downstream flood risks, safeguarding local communities. \u201cWe had just the worst winter you can imagine post restoration in terms of the number of storms and sheer volume of rain,” says Ben Eardley, the National Trust\u2019s project manager. “The site responded really well… demonstrating the value of the restoration in providing resilience to hydrological extremes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p> Researchers from several universities, including Exeter, Nottingham and Ume\u00e5 in Sweden, have been closely monitoring the site. Their findings are impressive. Groundwater levels have risen significantly, in some places by over a metre, turning the floodplain into a vast, natural sponge that stores water during floods and releases it gradually in dry periods. This not only helps mitigate droughts but also filters sediments and pollutants, improving water quality downstream.<\/p> The restoration has also brought a burst of life to the river system. \u201cThere is a huge variety of plants and trees starting to shoot up across the wetlands, such as greater tussock sedge, which can grow to over two metres tall,” says Siviter. “This will provide a rich landscape for wildlife to thrive within.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> \u201cThanks to the increased wetted area we\u2019ve seen loads of water-loving creatures, like wild waterfowl, water voles, eels, lamprey,\u00a0grass snake, trout and birds such as\u00a0red kite, buzzard,\u00a0kestrel, sparrowhawk,\u00a0swallow,\u00a0swift\u00a0and sand martin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> \u201cThe martins, swifts and swallows are all using the site for feeding and nest building, while the birds of prey are using the site for foraging \u2013 which is in part due to the rewetting but also the longer sward.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cThe constant supply of water has also resulted in the site being very green and lush with thousands of wildflowers, like wild carrot, providing food for pollinators.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> \u201cAs a consequence, we\u2019ve seen raptors such as kestrels,\u00a0herons<\/a>\u00a0and deer and even\u00a0barn owls<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cOne of the coolest species we\u2019ve seen is a green sandpiper \u2013 which is a great indicator species for healthy, lowland wetland habitat,\u201d\u00a0Siviter adds.<\/p>![\"Sparrow](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2024\/10\/Sparrow-hawk-scaled.jpeg\")