Tyne Rivers Trust are binging their interactive model of the Tyne catchment to the Heritage Centre!

The model has already proved to be a success in showing schoolchildren and community groups how the river system reacts to changes in climate.

Simone Saville, My Tyne project officer who co-designed the model says: “It’s a fantastic resource to bring our catchment to life. It shows the main rivers as well as major landmarks like the Tyne Bridge and the Angel of the North so people can really see how it fits together.”

The model is interactive with water flowing in the rivers and interchangeable parts to show how we can slow the flow of water using better land management practices and natural flood management. The interchangeable sections include leaky dams, straightened vs meandering river, woodland, riparian tree planting and restored peatland, which all help the river to adapt to a changing climate.

Simone continues: “Using the model we can create and compare a ‘climate unfriendly catchment’ with a ‘climate friendly’ catchment, holding water back for longer to prevent flooding downstream. This also creates habitat for people and wildlife to enjoy.

“The feedback has been fantastic from both adults and young people. Everyone who has seen the model in action has gone away with a better understanding of how we can improve our catchment to cope with a changing climate.”

Thanks to funding from the Reece Foundation.

Find out more: INTERACTIVE MODEL BRINGS THE TYNE CATCHMENT TO LIFE | Tyne Rivers Trust