news article by Brian McKenna of search data management

The UK Environment Agency is looking to a semantic-wiki-based knowledge management (KM) system to improve the flow of information about river restoration across Europe.

The open source system, supplied by Woking-based IT services company SFW, is in the midst of an agile development process in consultation with water managers, engineers and ecologists. The system is due to be completed in June and will belong to Restore, a partnership for river restoration in Europe comprising six fluvial organisations: the UK Environment Agency, River Restoration; Wetlands International and Dienst Landelijk Gebied in the Netherlands; the Finnish SYKE and Italian CIRF.

Catch up with what's happening in the UK restoration landscape with the RRC's monthly Bulletin, which can be viewed here.

The RESTORE partnership has selected SFW to develop an interactive knowledge management system to compile and share information on at least 500 river restoration projects throughout Europe. The Wiki-style online information source will be used by European government agencies, engineers, ecologists, planners and other parties involved in restoring rivers. 

Members of the public are being offered a unique glimpse of one of Cornwall’s most important wetlands during a special open day on the Camel Estuary next week.

Ellie is at Knepp Castle Estate near West Grinstead learning how ones man’s passion for ecology is changing the face of the local landscape. She discovers how the unusual ‘re-wilding’ project is also improving the condition of the River Adur. Ellie also learns that restoring the natural meanders will greatly improve local wildlife habitats whilst helping reduce the wider risk of flooding.