THE power of nature is being harnessed to help guard against flooding. A new waterside community orchard and woodland has been planted along a canal towpath on a slope between the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal and the River Irwell, to improve biodiversity and to combat the flood risk for residents around Prestolee and Nob End Locks. The £8,800 project has involved covering two hectares of scrubland with fruit trees to improve soil stability, increase biodiversity and limit the impact of harmful non-native species, like giant hogweed The work has been undertaken by The Canal and River Trust, the Environment Agency and volunteers from the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society