New multi-million-pound projects to conserve Welsh rivers and bogs - Natural Resources Wales
TWO major projects have been given the green light to protect, enhance and help restore nature and the environment in Wales – great news to help tackle the Nature Emergency.
These projects, supported through the EU’s LIFE Programme and match funded by the Welsh Government, will ensure that the £13.8 million cash injection will breathe new life into urgent conservation challenges over the next five years.
More than nine million pounds will be invested into bringing four Welsh rivers into good condition – the Teifi, Cleddau, Tywi and Usk. An estimated 500km of river will be improved.
Just over £4.5 million will conserve quaking bogs – so called because of the way this peatland habitat literally shakes under your feet! The largest of the last remaining quaking bogs in Wales is Crymlyn Bog on the outskirts of Swansea.
Other areas of quaking bogs will also be targeted, including at St David’s in Pembrokeshire and on the Llŷn Peninsula. They are all in need of intensive care due to damage in the past from drainage, pollution or neglect. But they but still harbour very rare species – including Britain’s largest spider, the great fen raft spider at Crymlyn and the marsh fritillary butterfly in Pembrokeshire and Gwynedd.
Key to success will be working closely with local landowners, communities and partner organisations.
Nick Thomas, NRW LIFE Projects Manager said: “There is much work to be done to bring our rivers and peat bogs into good condition so that they can support a wealth of wildlife. By looking after nature, we look after ourselves, as we all depend on clean rivers and a healthy natural environment. And a well-managed wetland helps store carbon, contributing to Wales’ fight against climate change.”
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Posted On: 25/01/2022