Managing the margins: a guide to riparian land

A river running through or around your land — a riparian zone — is both a privilege and a responsibility. The margins where land and water meet can act as a natural buffer, absorbing nutrients, storing floodwater, and providing a vital wildlife corridor. These areas require sensitive management to protect the waterway while maintaining the efficiency of your farm.

To help you manage your land with riparian health in mind, Norfolk Rivers Trust, in collaboration with the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme (BFER), has produced Managing the margins: a guide to riparian land.

This guide offers essential information on what constitutes riparian land, how to manage these riverside margins without damaging critical habitats, how to comply with relevant regulations, and the benefits these zones provide to farming businesses. By following this best practice guide, landowners can help protect these delicate ecosystems while managing their land and enjoying the beauty and benefits of Norfolk’s rivers.