Community-based Natural Flood Management training

If you love your local environment and want to know how the waterways can be improved for wildlife while reducing the risk of flooding, read on to find out about how to become a Natural Flood Management citizen scientist.

Thames21 is providing fully funded training to local residents who are keen to learn about how natural flood management functions and to gain the practical skills and confidence to monitor woody leaky dams in their area. This is part of our work to trial natural flood management methods around London and we need local citizen scientists to help us gather data about how effective these interventions are.

A leaky dam – one example of natural flood management

This two part course is taking place in the London Boroughs of Hillingdon, Enfield, Harrow and Havering between June 2019 and March 2021.

This course is due to run in early 2021 but dates are yet to be confirm. Keep an eye on the What’s On calendar and this webpage for up to date events and training course opportunities.

Please note places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Booking is essential.

Part 1 – 2 hours online
You will learn the foundation theory behind natural flood management and how the work that Thames21 is carrying out with communities around London is contributing to evidence about this emerging field. You will gain an understanding different natural flood management methods and what type of locations they are suitable for.

Part 2 – half day or full day depending on the location
You will take part in building appropriate natural flood management installations such as woody leaky dams using local materials. You will be informed about the process for getting permission from the local authority and Environment Agency to undertake this work and the health and safety considerations of working around watercourses.

You will practice completing the Slow Flow Catcher survey on the Cartographer app.

If you would like to support Thames21’s work by monitoring leaky woody dams in any of the following locations please contact Poppy to register interest- poppy.flint@thames21.org.uk

Park Wood, Hillingdon
Bedfords Park, Havering
Bentley Priory, Harrow
Stanmore Country Park, Harrow
Trent Park, Enfield 

Essential information

  • The course involves both in-class (online) and outdoors, site-specific learning.
  • Trainees can attend just one part of the course but it is recommended that people attend both.
  • You will be provided with reference materials that will support your learning and on going natural flood management monitoring.
  • A smart phone is required for using the ‘Slow Flow Catcher’ survey on the Cartographer app so it is very useful if you can bring one to the course but paper copies of the survey can also be used for training purposes.

Please contact Chris on chris.coode@thames21.org.uk or your local Natural Flood Management Officer with any questions.

This course is funded by DEFRA.