FCERM.net March Newsletter

Spring has Sprung!

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the March edition of the FCERM.net Newsletter.  This month we have an exiciting range of news and events to share with you including:

  • Announcement of the plans for FCERM.net 2015 Annual Assembly
  • This month's In Perspective Blog is from a guest blogger in the Netherlands, Steven Forrest, on the role and dynamics of Flood Action Groups
  • The March Webinar is by Owen Tarrent (Environment Agency) and Joe Clarke (CH2M Hill) on the Benefits of Flood Risk Management Actions and Advice

We hope you enjoy this month's news from the Flood and Coastal Erosion Rism management Community!!

 

News from the Community

FCERM.net Annual Assembly 2015 - Registraton Open

The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Network Annual Assembly 2015 will take place in Scotland's historic capital city, Edinburgh on Thursday 28th May.  The assembly aims to bring together a diverse range of professionals from across the Flood Risk Management sector, as well as those working in related disciplines.  This year the focus of the Assembly is on translation and dissemination of research outcomes.

For more information and to register....

Environment Agency and Forestry Commission opportunity mapping for Natural Flood Management

The Environment Agency and Forest Research published their opportunity mapping work under the Woodland for Water initiative which aims to identify where planting of woodland can help to deliver water quality objectives under the EU Water Framework Directive. The report will assist with identification of locations which would be appropriate to qualify for an 'additional contribution' under the Forestry Commission England's Woodland Creation Grant.

More on this story....

National Centre for Atmospheric Research Centre (NCAR) Flood and Fire Prediction Tools

NCAR in Colorado have this month released a video highlighting their use of predictive models for wildfires and floods. The models are being used successfully to provide public safety officials in the United States with detailed 12- to 24-hour predictions of these destructive disasters, enabling better operational response, saving lives and preventing damage.  The video is around 3 minutes long and provides an insight into the ways in which powerful modelling tools can positively impacrt decison-making and communities.  You can view the video here.

Environment Agency Research News - Using Historic Flood Data to Better Understand Flooding

The lastest edition of Research News looks at how the Environment Agency will make better use of local and historic flood data and how the costs and impacts of the winter 2013 to 2014 floods is being estimated.

There’s also news about a new tool developed in collaboration with others that will improve rainfall data in the future and a focus on the new look Policy, Strategy and Investment theme.

More on this story......

Events

Green Infrastructure Forum - Official Launch

On Friday March 27th, the Green Infrastructure Forum will hold their offical launch meeting.  The Forum has evolved from The Scottish Green Roof Forum and is a collaboration between organisations, businesses and researchers, and seeks to promote and encourage the use of Green Infrastructure throughout Scotland, with a particular emphasis on urban areas.

The GIF will be holding their Urban Green Infrastructure Conference in Glasgow on 6th and 7th October. The call for abstracts closes on 30th March 2015.

More information.....

International Water Association’s Young Water Professionals Conference

The University of Strathclyde's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is delighted to host the International Water Association’s 16th IWA UK Young Water Professionals Conference in April 2015. Showcasing the latest research and innovation from around the world, the conference includes a superb selection of young water professionals from both academia and industry. 

To register and for more information.....

IWRA World Water Congress, May 2015

There is still stime to register for the IWRA World Water Congress. FCERM.net will be sponsoringa  Special Session on Flood Risk Management at the event on Wednesday May 27th 2015.

More information........

FCERM.net March Webinar - Benefits of Flood Risk Management Actions and Advice

Owen Tarrent (Environment Agency) and Joe Clarke (CH2M Hill) present the 'Benefits of Flood Risk Management Actions and Advice'

The webinar is based on the Environment Agency's published  R&D project which provides a framework, methods, tools and data to help understand and quantify the benefits of a range of linked flood risk management actions and advice.

To participate

Publications

Flood Action Groups: On the rise in the UK but nowhere to be seen in the Netherlands

This month's blog is by a Network member and PhD student, Steven Forreset. Steven's research investigates the role and dynamics of Flood Action Groups, and in particular, is undertaking a comparative study between the UK and the Netherlands.   His article provides some insights into the differences between the British and Dutch experience and alludes to some of the possible differences for this.

To read the blog.....

Monitoring and modelling to guide coastal adaptation to extreme storm events in a changing climate

Network member Jenny Brown from the National Oceanography Centre has published a paper in a special issue of Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences.  Jenny would like to invite other network members to leave comments.  You can access the issue here.

 

We hope that you have found this edition of the Newsletter to be informative and enjoyable. If you have any news or events you would like us to publish in our next Newsletter, please contact us.

Best wishes,

FCERM.net Team