Background
Natural flood management (NFM) is a tool to help reduce flood risk. It complements other flood risk management approaches and involves working across the landscape to protect, restore or mimic the natural hydrological processes that occur.
The introductory training from CIRIA is designed to support the delivery of high quality NFM projects – the ‘how to’ of NFM. The training is consistent with the Natural flood management Manual (C802F) and its aspirations, with a key focus on rivers, reducing flood risk and UK organisations. It does not cover coastal NFM or specific urban runoff management techniques.
The training provides a high level overview of the design and delivery of NFM in the UK and focuses on the building blocks to deliver successful NFM projects. It will encourage NFM delivery as an iterative process which evolves over time as understanding and momentum increases. This will follow the circular NFM delivery process outlined in the Manual. It will provide an general awareness of the requirements for design and construction/management of NFM without giving specific details for the full range of NFM measures.
Who should attend
This informative and interactive course will be of interest to individuals from engaged communities, early career professionals, experienced individuals new to NFM likely to be drawn from a range of public (eg EA, Natural England, local authority) and private sector organisations (consultants and contractors, landscape architects, planners, landowners, asset managers, utilities sector)
Why should you attend
The course will allow you to:
- understand the concept of NFM
- understand the range of NFM measures and types and how they can be applied
- gain an understanding of the NFM delivery process
- understand the importance of working with others
- appreciate that there are a wide range of enablers and barriers to NFM
- share experiences and knowledge with our expert trainers and other delegates
- earn valuable CPD.
Assumed knowledge
Delegates should be interested in NFM and be keen to learn more and ideally have a background in environmental science. We expect general knowledge of the hydrological cycle; flooding processes and flood risk terminology and an appreciation of the UK context in terms of the landscape and communities, the environmental setting and issues and opportunities that impact our river catchments.
Course content and format of training
Session 1
Introductions and aims for the day
What is NFM
Understand the catchment
Maximise outcomes from NFM
Discussion
Session 2
Recap of session 1
Select measures
Design and delivery considerations
Discussion
How will you benefit?
This training will allow delegates to:
- understand the fundamentals of NFM and provide a foundation for further learning and practical application
- undertake assessments of where, when and how NFM measures might be employed to deliver flood risk and wider benefit
- provide a basis for clients, consultants and communities to specify NFM approaches for particular location
- analyse using a variety of case studies what has and hasn’t worked – and understand why.