After months of impactful weather, repeated storms and waterlogged ground, flooding has become all too common across the UK. Rivers are affected more quickly by rainfall, surface water is overwhelming drains, and coastal communities are increasingly exposed to danger during storms. These are not one-off incidents, but part of a growing pattern of more extreme and disruptive seasonal weather. 

Climate change is making these risks worse. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, increasing the chances of prolonged and intense rainfall. Meanwhile rising sea levels raise the impact of storms along our coasts. Together, these changes are making more risk of river, surface-water and coastal flooding across the country.  

Considering this, recent research from the Environment Agency shows that natural flood-management (NFM) schemes can help lessen the harm caused by flooding. 

Why this matters in Staffordshire 

Staffordshire is not immune to rising flood risk. With flash flooding across many of the county’s towns and villages, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust continues to emphasise how wetlands and floodplain landscapes respond when intense rainfall hits saturated soils or fast-flowing water courses.  

David Cadman, Head of Nature Recovery Networks for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says, 
 
“Restoring floodplain functions and reconnecting rivers to their natural pathways helps protect both wildlife and people. By allowing water to spill onto floodplains and creating natural water storage, the landscape can act like a sponge, slowing flood flows.  

“Our many projects in the Trent River catchment aim to address both flooding and the ecological challenges that wildlife face. For example, the Trust’s Living Landscapes and Stafford Brooks programmes are using natural solutions to help habitats cope with extreme weather.”  

What needs to happen now 

Change land management practices to:  

• Use more nature-based solutions across catchments (watersheds) to restore wetlands and wet grasslands. 

• Reconnect rivers to their floodplains to help store water. 

• Plant native woodland and create pond networks to boost resilience to flood risk.  
   

Build climate resilience into planning and development practices:  

With flood risk rising due to climate change, it is essential that new developments avoid areas prone to flooding. Additionally, Natural flood management techniques should be used with more traditional hard engineering techniques like, balancing pools and flood walls. 

Make the link between mitigation and adaptation:  
The Met Office’s 2025 record summer underlines the role of greenhouse gas emissions in driving climate extremes. Local action to reduce emissions must go together with conservation at a landscape level. 
 

A clear call to action  

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust calls on residents, landowners and local authorities to join their mission in repairing habitats for the resilience of wildlife and our communities across the county. More information can be found in The Wildlife Trust’s report Resilient Nature Adaptation progress across The Wildlife Trusts in 2024/25