Nature Based Solutions Community of Research

The Nature Based Solutions (NBS) Community of Research was established following the NBS Knowledge Exchange Event in December 2025.

Activities and Shared Resources:

Nature-Based Solutions Knowledge Exchange Workshop | 16/12/25 – 17/12/25
Slides	Presenter
Nature-based Solutions: the current policy position in Wales	Chloe Bonnington | Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Mainstreaming Nature-Based solutions in Wales: Opportunities and Risks	Rob McCall | Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales
A brief history of Nature Based Solutions, focusing on natural flood management	Laura Walters | Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government, delivered by Lowri Norrington Davies
Retrofitting for the Future – AHRC funded	Victoria Jenkins | Swansea University
Ecostructure – eco-engineering and biosecurity functions for coastal adaptation to climate change	Joe Ironside | Aberystwyth University
Bio-Matrix – Practical implementation – challenges and research needs	Gary Callachan/Nick/ Chris | Biomatrix Water
Gwent Levels Polders Project	Nicola Rimmington | Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales
Coastal Engineering	Will Bennett | Swansea University
Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions in Wales	Victoria Wilson | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water; Isobel Love | Afonydd Cymru
Salt Marshes in Coastal Flood Management	Xin Wang

Engineering of nature-based treatment technologies	Devin Sapsford | Cardiff University
Use of natural coagulants to treat industrial wastewater	Professor Chedly Tizaoui | Swansea University & Dr Ed Lester-Card
Bioremediation of industrial waste CO2 via algae and demonstration of products from that technology	Darren Oatley-Ratcliffe | Swansea University
NbS approach to eradicating invasive species	Dong-Fan Xu | Bangor University
Monitoring of Natural Flood Management in a range of UK Catchments	Guglielmo Sonnino Sorisio | Cardiff University
Woodland Water Benefits: Tackling Diffuse Pollution, Flooding and Water Cooling	Tom Nisbet | Forest Research
Retrofit/highways drainage/climate change	David James | Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru | Welsh Local Government Association

Insights Wales | Wetlands, reedbeds, and ICWs: the UK experience with treatment wetlands	Gabriela Dotro | Constructed Wetland Association
CWA small sewage discharges guidance. This document contains design information as well as operation & maintenance tasks to keep systems working. It is suitable for onsite treatment, up to 5 m3/d.
Case studies from the UK for biological wastewater treatment applications
The UK & Ireland wetland map: Constructed Wetland Hub
An open access textbook that might help answer people’s queries on wetland design, performance and applications

Purpose of Group:

The initial primary aims of the group are to:

• Foster collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and civil society by sharing findings, aligning priorities, and addressing evidence gaps to inform policy and research agenda.

• Strengthen Welsh expertise in the use of NBS and its impacts, supporting post-graduate research (particularly amongst Early Career Researchers), internships, peer review, and student-led projects.

• Facilitate sharing of relevant funding opportunities and support grant-writing collaboration across institutions.

• Enable timely and science-informed policy advice to support key regulatory and legislative initiatives.