TWEED Forum’s Eddleston Water river restoration project has been chosen as a finalist in the Coasts and Waters category of the RSPB’s prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards.

Supported by the Scottish Government and delivered in collaboration with the University of Dundee, SEPA and local landowners, the Eddleston Water project is a 69km2 living laboratory that is collecting evidence of the benefits of restoring a huge range of river, wetland and riparian habitats.

A ceremony will take place in November.

The project has been in place for over 10 years and measures implemented to date include the creation of 37 new ponds to catch surface water flow and hold water back.

More than one hundred engineered log structures have been developed on streams in the upper catchment to slow excess water by directing it into land on either side of the river channel.

And around 330,000 native trees have been planted across the catchment.

Further downstream, 3km of the Eddleston Water has been re-meandered.

It is estimated that almost £1 million worth of flood damage will be avoided in downstream communities as a result of the measures already installed. The value of other benefits, including improved water quality, carbon management and biodiversity is estimated at £4.2 million.

Tweed Forum director, Luke Comins said: “Our Eddleston Water project is an internationally significant initiative that is demonstrating that natural flood management measures can reduce flood risk and provide huge advantages for plant and wildlife biodiversity. The project is ongoing and is continuing to inform scientists and policy makers about the benefits of this kind of catchment-wide, partnership approach to land and water management.

"This work is becoming increasingly important as the impact of climate change becomes more apparent so we’re delighted that the project, and the contributions of local landowners, farmers, foresters and other project partners, is being recognised in the Nature of Scotland Awards.”

The winners of all 10 categories of the Nature of Scotland Awards will be announced on November 17 at an awards ceremony co-sponsored by NatureScot and hosted by wildlife presenter Iolo Williams and radio and tv presenter Arlene Stuart.