Last week, Benedict and I joined a group of passionate volunteers to help establish a new cross-slope hedgerow, as part of the Adur Adaptation Project’s natural flood management initiatives. There were nine of us in total and together we planted nearly 400 saplings to form the hedgerows, from Dogwood, to hazel, blackthorn and hawthorn, with an oak tree sapling planted every six metres along the row. An ambitious goal for a single day, but one we accomplished with plenty of teamwork, muddy boots, and good humour. The final hedge will be made up of 1,300 trees.
Slowing the flow
The purpose of planting this hedgerow goes far beyond aesthetics. Positioned strategically across the slope, these young saplings will mature into a dense line of woody vegetation. As they grow, their roots will help stabilise the soil, while their branches and leaves will disrupt the flow of surface water running downhill during rainstorms.
When heavy rains come, water tends to rush rapidly across fields, picking up sediment and carrying it straight into rivers. This sudden influx can increase the risk of downstream flooding. By planting a cross-slope hedgerow, we’re creating a natural barrier that slows the flow of water, allowing more time for it to infiltrate into the soil rather than gushing off the land. The result is less runoff, reduced erosion and a gentler release of water into the Adur River system over time.
Hedges, trees, and floodplains
It’s not just this single hedgerow that matters, hedges and trees on floodplains play a crucial role in managing water flow across entire landscapes. Trees and shrubs help trap sediment, filter pollutants and create pockets of calmer water that give rainfall a moment to seep underground. This process not only helps reduce the intensity of flooding downstream but also contributes to replenishing groundwater stores and improving water quality.
With climate change bringing more intense rain events, natural flood management techniques like this have never been more important. These measures work with nature, not against it. Instead of relying solely on engineered solutions like concrete barriers or dredging, we’re using living, breathing plant life to create a more resilient environment.
The Adur Adaptation Project: Building resilience
The Adur Adaptation Project is all about preparing our local environment for the challenges of climate change. By implementing natural solutions—like planting hedgerows and restoring wetlands—this initiative aims to enhance the landscape’s ability to soak up, slow down, and manage floodwaters in a more sustainable way.
This project isn’t just about one field or one stretch of river. It’s about helping the entire Adur catchment become more resilient. Through a network of small, distributed interventions like ours, we can collectively reduce the risk of flooding, protect communities downstream and support a healthier ecosystem.
Who makes this possible? The Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust
The Adur Adaptation Project is supported by The Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust, a local environmental charity committed to protecting and improving the Ouse and Adur river catchments. This organisation works tirelessly on habitat restoration, water quality improvements, and education initiatives, helping our rivers and their surrounding landscapes thrive.
By partnering with community volunteers, landowners and environmental agencies, The Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust creates tangible, on-the-ground changes that make a real difference. Their focus on nature-based solutions—like the hedgerow we planted—sets an example of how we can live in harmony with our environment.
Find out how you can get involved and support all the great things OART do here.
A day to remember
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my fellow volunteers, we each took turns digging holes, gently placing saplings and patting down soil. We joked about our sore muscles and muddy hands. But above all, we felt a sense of purpose, knowing that these trees will live for decades, quietly doing their part to keep our rivers healthier and our communities safer.
As I look back on that day, I’m filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. We didn’t just plant 400 trees; we planted resilience into the landscape. That’s something worth celebrating and I’m honoured to have played a small part in it.
