A charity has bought over 480 hectares (1,195) acres in Ceredigion for a “flagship” rewilding project in a bid to help Wales catch up with projects in other parts of the UK. Tir Natur (Nature’s Land) was founded in 2022 and announced it had acquired the site at Cwm Doethie in Elenydd, the Cambrian mountains, following a fundraiser last year that raised over half of the £2.2 million. The rest came thanks to a philanthropic bridging loan, according to The Guardian.
Fundraising is now ongoing to start early restoration work and community activities on Ceredigion, set to become the largest rewilding site in Wales. “This site will demonstrate what’s possible when we allow nature to take the lead and work for people again. It’s a hopeful, practical vision anyone can contribute to,” Tash Reilly, Tir Natur’s chair, said.
The charity said that the project on Ceredigion will restore the natural landscape of Cwm Doethie, including rivers, peat bogs, and ancient woodlands. It also hopes for it to work as a carbon sink and reduce the risk of flooding downstream. Conservationists also hope to see a return of red squirrels, pine martens, polecats, curlews, and hen harriers, and help build new habitats and nature corridors for beavers as well as butterflies.
A wild grazing system is planning which involves traditional cattle, pony, and pig breeds, acting as ecosystem architects,” to help with the natural regeneration as they turn over soil. The site was labelled poor for grazing and unsuitable for commercial forestry in the past because of its location in a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
The Natural History Museum’s biodiversity intactness index ranks the UK 229 out of 240 countries with an average score of 50%.
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