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The Humberhead Levels Land Management Initiative

Humberhead Levels landscape
The Humberhead Levels Land Management Initiative (known locally as the 'Value in Wetness') sought to investigate and test new economically viable and environmentally sensitive approaches to water and land management, with a view to contributing to the shape of future long-term international, national and regional agri-environmental and wider rural development policy.


The area and the issues

The Humberhead Levels cover parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.  They encompass the large, flat, mainly intensive arable agricultural landscape surrounding the top end of the Humber Estuary. The landscape is rich in historical, cultural and environmental resources, some of which are of international importance. Many communities in and around the Levels suffered social and economic hardship due to the demise of the coal industry. 

Much of the area is near or below sea level meaning that there is potential to test land management systems that have the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change, erratic weather conditions, flooding, shortage and surplus of water.

Key conclusions

The Humberhead Levels LMI undertook extensive research in partnership with other organisations, land managers and the local community.  This work indicated that there is considerable potential to integrate land and water management for the social, economic and environmental benefit of the area.  The work of the LMI led to suggestions of how these benefits could be achieved and in particular the role of Drainage Boards in achieving them.

Related Publication:

The Humberhead Levels Land Management Initiative