Nature Based Solution Guidelines

Our team member Katie Menzies was involved as a Senior Researcher at the Australian National University’s Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions investigating the role that Nature-base Solutions could play in mitigating the impacts of flooding in Australia.

Nature-based solutions can contribute to managing flood risk by slowing and storing excess water, reducing the force and reach of floodwaters, and redirecting flows. These approaches include actions such as tree planting, restoring riparian vegetation, re-establishing natural stream pathways, and changing land-use practices around waterways.

Working with communities and local councils throughout regional NSW and South-East Queensland, the team created Nature-based Solutions for Flood Mitigation in Australia; a practical guidance document outlining how these strategies can be applied effectively in different landscapes.

Funded by the National Emergency Management Agency, the guide covers:

+ How to evaluate and select suitable nature-based options
+ The range of NbS techniques and the principles behind them
+ Methods for assessing their benefits

The Nature-based Solutions for flood mitigation in Australia guidelines are available from the Australian National University’s Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions website:

https://iceds.anu.edu.au/research/research-stories/nature-based-solutions-flood-mitigation-australia-national-guidelines

Nature-based Solutions for flood mitigation in Australia – Book 1: National Guidelines

Nature-based Solutions for flood mitigation in Australia – Book 2: Catchment Studies

Nature-based Solutions for flood mitigation in Australia – Book 3: Practical Guide