A groundbreaking river restoration project at Somerset’s Holnicote Estate has achieved remarkable success in transforming landscapes, reviving wildlife habitats, and enhancing flood protection, earning the National Trust a prestigious Silver award at the Global Good Awards 2025.
Recognised in the Wild World: Recover, Regenerate, Rewild category, the Resilient River Corridors initiative has reconnected rivers to their natural floodplains, planted over 120,000 trees, created thriving wetlands, and reintroduced vital species such as beavers and 300 water voles across a sprawling 12,000-acre estate.
Pioneering the UK’s first “Stage Zero” river restoration, the project has reduced flood peaks by 38%, while simultaneously creating new habitats that bolster biodiversity. It is among the most closely monitored restoration efforts nationwide, influencing environmental policies both in the UK and internationally.
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Simon Larkins, Somerset coast and countryside general manager at the National Trust, praised the collaborative effort: “This award is a huge thanks to our team, partners, and farmers who made this possible. From reintroducing keystone species to restoring river systems and planting thousands of trees, nature is the biggest beneficiary.”
The project’s success hinges on strong collaboration among farmers, scientists, community members, and statutory bodies. Beyond ecological benefits, it has enhanced climate resilience, supported regenerative agriculture, and engaged thousands through volunteering, educational programmes, and virtual tours.
Building on the momentum of the 2025 UK River Prize, the Holnicote initiative draws on over 13 years of data collection. Its pioneering work now guides land recovery projects across 7,000 hectares of West Somerset.
Funding and support have been provided by a broad coalition including the Environment Agency, Natural England, Interreg 2 Seas Co-Adapt, Defra’s Green Recovery Challenge and Species Survival funds, Somerset Rivers Authority, South West Peat Partnership, and philanthropic donors. Partners encompass tenant farmers, ecologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, universities, and local communities.