Ballybay

The acceleration of Nature-based Solutions’ (NbS) uptake and integration often hinges not only on the tangible benefits derived from natural resources but also on the recognition of intangible benefits, such as community well-being, with academic assessments of their value. This is what the pilot in the Ballybay catchment in County Monaghan in the North-east of Ireland (Dromore River) is about.

Research/background

DkIT will play a pivotal role in this project, drawing from their extensive knowledge on Lake and Catchment Management, Agri-environmental Research, Water, Communities and Development, coupled with experience gained form a number of large-scale projects addressing complex cross-disciplinary issues that have a regional, national, and international focus. CFES (Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies)/DkIT will work with the NFGWS (National Federation of Group Water Schemes) and ResiRiver partner LAWPRO to evaluate possible NbS for source protection and flood mitigation and the scientific basis for their implementation.

Collaboration and knowledge dissemination

CFES/DkIT are experienced in turning research practise into policy recommendations and are ideally positioned to do this on a national basis given their position as education sector representative on The Water Forum. The Water Forum has adopted the Framework for Integrated land and Landscape Management (FILLM). These recommendations will be aligned with this document as a starting point and with the NFGWS’s Framework for Drinking Water Source Protection and LAWPROs NbS guidance documents.

The end goal

CFES/DkIT will work closely with all ResiRiver partners to ensure that the research recommendations can be effectively translated into policy that complies with both relevant national and EU legislation.