Councils, farmers, scientists, the water industry and environmental organisations from across Devon came together last week to explore how the county can prepare for increasingly extreme swings between wet and dry weather, following a wet start to 2026 and England’s driest July on record.
The sold-out WATER 2026 conference ran at the University of Exeter on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 September. Hosted by the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP) and Devon Climate Emergency (DCE), the two-day event brought together evidence and experience from projects across the county and looked at how the approaches that work could be scaled up.
Both DRIP and DCE are led by Devon County Council. DRIP supports work across 19 organisations to improve flood resilience in 38 Devon communities. Running from 2021 to 2027, the project tests how different measures can work together: slowing the movement of water, giving communities more warning of flooding, and helping them respond and recover faster. In Stokeinteignhead, a combination of natural flood management, property flood resilience, community engagement and a trial surface-water flood forecasting system won national recognition at last year’s Environment Agency Flood & Coast Excellence Awards.
Last week’s conference brought together specialists in technology, nature, science and land management. Speakers included Devon farmers and landowners, Riverford Organic Farmers, the Environment Agency, the Met Office, Natural England, South West Water, Devon Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, Westcountry Rivers Trust and researchers from the universities of Exeter and Plymouth.
Sessions covered everything from adapting food production to drought and intense rainfall, to using beavers, trees, restored rivers and smart technology to build healthier, more resilient landscapes. Delegates also explored how restoring wetlands, improving soils and holding more water in the landscape can protect wildlife and key infrastructure and help farms and the natural environment ride out prolonged dry spells.
Preparing for ‘climate whiplash’
Attendees spoke of ‘climate whiplash’, a term used to describe rapid shifts between prolonged wet and dry conditions. Climate projections suggest the UK will experience more intense rainfall alongside drier summers in the south, increasing pressure on communities, farms, rivers and water supplies.
The Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Strategy, developed in partnership by Devon Climate Emergency, sets out the risks associated with a changing climate and the actions needed to respond. The DRIP project is helping to deliver against the Adaptation Strategy.
Gale Alexander, Devon Resilience Innovation Project Manager, said:
“Devon has experienced prolonged wet weather and exceptionally dry conditions within the same year, showing why we need to prepare for different extremes rather than considering flooding and drought in isolation.
“We cannot prevent every flood or dry spell, but we can reduce their impact and help communities prepare. The evidence and learning gathered through DRIP will help inform future approaches to flood and climate resilience in Devon and elsewhere.”
Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said:
“Climate change is not something any one organisation or community can address alone. DRIP is demonstrating in real time, what becomes possible when residents are supported by farmers, landowners, researchers, councils and environmental organisations working together.
“By combining local knowledge with nature, science and technology, we can give people more impetus to act, create healthier landscapes and build greater resilience for the future.”
For more information about DRIP and its work across Devon, visit: www.devon.gov.uk/drip
For more information about DCE and its mission, visit: www.devonclimateemergency.org.uk