Restoring LIFE back into four rivers in Wales

Restoring LIFE back into four rivers in Wales - Natural Resources Wales

The largest conservation project to help restore wildlife on four important rivers in South Wales is being launched today (Friday 28 October 2022).

The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) led ‘Four Rivers for LIFE’ Project will protect, enhance and help restore the Rivers Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk. An estimated 776km of river will be improved.

The project, supported by the EU’s LIFE Programme with funding also provided by the Welsh Government and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, will see over £9 million injected into tackling urgent conservation challenges over the next five years.

The project will focus on:

Improving river habitats and conditions for migratory fish – most notably Atlantic salmon, sea and river lamprey, bullhead and shad. Otters and freshwater pearl mussels are set to benefit too.
Re-naturalising sections of straightened rivers so that they meander once again. This will benefit wildlife as well as the communities that surround the rivers as slowing the flow can reduce flood risk downstream.
Working with farmers to protect river corridors and reduce sediments and nutrients from entering rivers. This will have the added benefit of safeguarding important drinking water supplies.
Reducing the impact of invasive non-native species in 180km of river. Species like Himalayan balsam, American skunk cabbage, Japanese knotweed, and Giant hogweed will be controlled.

Susie Kinghan, Four Rivers for LIFE Team Leader said: “These four iconic rivers are currently in an unfavourable condition as a result of several different pressures. We will be working with many different groups over the next five years to help make these rivers a place where wildlife can thrive and people can enjoy them." She adds: “In a healthy condition, our rivers teem with so many species such as eels, kingfishers, bats, water voles, crayfish and more! They are also important for drinking water, angling, swimming and offer natural flooding area which protects communities downstream.”