As part of a growing effort to use nature to reduce flood risk in the Severn Valley, Severn Rivers Trust welcomed Shrewsbury-based software company SuperByte to Guilsfield on Friday 28 March for a day of corporate volunteering for river restoration.
Their full team of employees, directors and staff took time away from the office to help plant 400 native woodland trees at Tirnewydd Farm, guided by Catchment Officer Dewi Morris and Catchment Assistant Charlotte Davies.
The woodland is being created on the site of a former ancient woodland – bluebells and wood anemones still bloom here – and is part of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS), one of the UK’s flagship programmes using nature-based solutions to manage flood risk.
From Code to Conservation
SuperByte founder and director Simon Russell said:
“SuperByte’s health and well-being environmental volunteering day went really well and was thoroughly enjoyed by all, as the woodland we helped to create will grow a valuable wildlife habitat and natural flood management solution.”
His team brought huge energy and enthusiasm to the day, working together to get the trees in the ground quickly and efficiently.
Dewi Morris, Catchment Officer for Severn Rivers Trust, added:
“SuperByte’s staff had a great day out and quickly and efficiently planted a wonderful woodland, fuelled by their enthusiasm, teamwork and the hot drinks and loads of homemade cake!”
Building Resilience from the Roots Up
The new woodland has been carefully designed to balance environmental and practical benefits. Two rows of hazel trees on the lower edge will be coppiced every 14 years to provide straight poles and binders for traditional hedge laying. These well-managed hedges will offer shelter for livestock and wildlife alike – creating a space where farming and nature thrive side by side.
This work forms part of a suite of natural flood management interventions being delivered across the Guilsfield Brook Catchment by Severn Rivers Trust under the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme. The wider project aims to reduce flood risk for up to 3,000 properties and 1,000 businesses across the upper and middle River Severn.
Stronger Together
Severn Rivers Trust is proud to work alongside local businesses and landowners to restore healthy, resilient river systems. Volunteering days like this demonstrate the powerful role that the private sector can play in tackling the climate and nature crises at a local level.
Want to get involved?
We welcome corporate volunteering partnerships across the Severn catchment.
Find out how to partner with us or get in touch with our team to explore opportunities.
