A Partnership for Regenerative Farming and Water Stewardship
A strategic relationship has been established between the Nature Recovery Project (TNRP) and WRAP to address one of our day's most urgent environmental issues: the contamination and depletion of water resources brought on by unsustainable farming methods. Water is essential to life, yet it is a finite resource facing immense pressure from climate change and unsustainable agricultural practices. With global water demand expected to double by 2030 and a projected 40% water shortfall, urgent action is needed. In the UK, only 15% of river stretches meet ecological health standards, and agriculture is responsible for 62% of water pollution due to fertilizer runoff and livestock waste. Meanwhile, over 80% of the UK's fresh produce is imported, often from drought-prone regions, increasing risks to food security.
Recognizing these challenges, The Nature Recovery Project (TNRP) and WRAP are in partnership to accelerate the implementation of nature-based solutions for water security, biodiversity restoration, and regenerative agriculture. Through this partnership, £1.14 million in funding from TNRP will expand and accelerate WRAP's Water Roadmap, a collective initiative to protect vital water resources and ensure sustainable food production.
By combining TNRP's expertise in habitat restoration with WRAP's leadership in sustainability initiatives, this collaboration will directly address the environmental impact of farming by:
One project benefiting from this partnership focuses on the Great Ouse catchment in East Anglia, one of the UK’s most significant agricultural regions. This area has suffered from over-abstraction, pollution from water companies, and agricultural runoff containing nitrates, phosphates, and slurry. The initiative will build on existing projects in Norfolk, expanding interventions upstream to Bedford, covering nearly the entire length of the 5th longest river in the UK.
East Anglia contributes nearly one-third of the UK's total crop production and almost half of the country's homegrown vegetables. The River Ouse is home to seven globally important Ramsar wetlands, 14 European Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, and 241 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Restoring this vital water catchment will improve local biodiversity, protect wildlife habitats, and ensure the long-term sustainability of food production in the region.
A key strength of the TNRP & WRAP partnership lies in its ability to scale nature-based solutions (NbS) across diverse landscapes. A transformative step towards creating a more sustainable, water-secure future. Adopting nature-based solutions will lead to healthier soils, increased yields, and lower input costs, making agriculture both profitable and environmentally responsible. Cleaner rivers and restored ecosystems will enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and public health for local communities.
This partnership aligns with TNRP's mission to restore natural habitats and drive systemic change through collective action. By funding on-the-ground solutions in the UK and internationally, this initiative will strengthen catchment resilience, reduce water risk for businesses and communities, and secure a sustainable future for agriculture. It serves as a model for global sustainability efforts, demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration can drive large-scale environmental restoration. The TNRP & WRAP partnership is a critical step towards ensuring that future generations inherit a world where nature and agriculture exist in balance, securing both our planet's health and our food systems' resilience.