Floods, Floodbanks and Wetlands: Lessons Learned on the River Till
2nd North East England Section Conference
Date: Friday 1 October 2010
Venue: Lady Waterford Hall, Ford Village, Ford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2TG
BACKGROUND
The River Till project aims to create new wetlands in the lowland valley by the abandonment from management or removal of flood banks to allow the river to reconnect with its wider flood plain. It is a partnership between The Tweed Forum, Natural England, the Environment Agency and Farming Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)
This conference will explore the historical and the recent proactive management of the River Till to create new wetlands and to reconnect the river with its flood plain. It will be in two parts: a series of papers will be presented followed by a field visit that will provide the opportunity to view the range of works undertaken and the lessons learnt from this major project.
The River Till is the English part of Tweed catchment in north east Britain; it straddles the national and administrative border between Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. The Tweed catchment is bounded to the north and west by the Lammermoor and Moorfoot Hills and to the south by the Cheviots, which form part of Northumberland National Park.
The Borders is noted for its diverse and traditional landscapes that have helped sustain a rich variety of habitats and species, this is reflected in the designation of the River Tweed and its major tributaries as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), designation criteria for which included its stocks of wild Atlantic salmon and lamprey species.
BOOKING
Early booking is advisable – places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE CAN ONLY BE DONE ONLINE. To register for the conference please CLICK HERE and to book your place.
PROGRAMME
Chair: Professor Malcolm Newson, FCIWEM, Chief Executive of the Tyne Rivers Trust
10.30 The River Till - A Historical Geomorphologic Picture
Dr Dave Pasmore (Newcastle University)
11.00 The Management of Historical Managed Wetlands in the River Till Catchment: The Evidence for Culley’s Water Meadows
Steve Pullan CEnv FIEEM (Natural England) and Dr Robert Shiel (Newcastle University)
11.30 Past, Present and Future River Management: A Joint Agency Vision
Bob Cussen (Natural England) and Caroline Brumwell (Environment Agency)
12.00 The River Till Wetland Restoration Project: Lessons Learned
Alastair Laverty MIEEM (Tweed Forum)
12.30 IEEM North East England Section AGM
13.00 Lunch/Poster Session
14.00 The North Northumberland Otter Project
Duncan Glen (Land Factor)
14.30 The Tweed Invasive Project: the long-term control of giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed
Luke Cummins (Tweed Forum)
15.00 River and River Engineering to Aid Flood Protection at a Catchment Level by the Use of Leaky Ponds
Dr Paul Quinn (Newcastle University) TBC
15.30 Crayfish and Culverts: Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme
Martyn Lucas (Durham University) and Dorian Latham (Halcrow) on behalf of the Environment Agency
16.00 Cheviot Futures - Managing the River into the Future in a Holistic Way
Peter Kerr (Environment Agency)
16.30 Discussion
16.45 Tea
17.15 Field Visit: The Fenton Centre
The Fenton Centre, West Fenton, Northumberland NE71 6JL
Opened in 2005, the centre provides an educational and recreational resource to allow exploration of the cultural heritage and natural diversity of life in the countryside - from times past, present and the implications for the future.
The Fenton Centre is much more than an academic resource - it is situated on a real-life working farm with a dynamic environmental diversification policy. From commercial crops in the fields, to wildlife ponds and river banks, the Fenton Centre allows you to get your wellies muddy, have fun and learn at the same time.
19.00 Conference Dinner
20.30 After Dinner Talk: Rivers and Geomorphologists:
Professor Malcolm Newson, FCIWEM
BOOKING
Early booking is advisable – places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE CAN ONLY BE DONE ONLINE. To register for the conference please CLICK HERE and to book your place.
PRICES (conference fees are exempt from VAT)
IEEM Members = £90. Conference dinner = £20.
Non IEEM members = £130. Conference dinner = £20.
IEEM Student members (limited number of places) = £40. Conference dinner = £20.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
When booking, please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
CONFIRMATION OF BOOKINGS
Bookings will be confirmed by email.
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Publicity information may be inserted into conference packs at a cost of £150.00 (excl. VAT) per leaflet (A5, A4 or A3 folded to A4). For further information please contact Nick Jackson
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
This programme is correct at time of printing, but may be subject to change without notice. The most up to date programme will be available on the IEEM website.
CANCELLATION
In the event of cancellation, a 50% refund will be made if advised before 24 September 2010; no refunds after 24 September 2010. All cancellations must be received in writing. Substitutions can be made at any time.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
Attendance at this conference counts towards the CPD requirements for IEEM members.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please contact Nick Jackson.