The Welsh Government last week confirmed that 29 wildlife projects across Wales will benefit from the Nature Networks Fund.

The Nature Networks Fund was confirmed in March this year with the Welsh Government promising to invest in the ‘condition and connectivity’ of the protected site network, supported by the ‘active involvement of local communities’.

Climate Change Minister Julie James confirmed £7m of Welsh Government support for the projects: “Tackling the climate and nature emergencies is at the heart of everything we do - we must protect our environment for future generations to enjoy.

“Recognising the importance of harnessing the power of local communities, this funding will support citizen science, school engagement programmes and volunteer training to build networks of people engaged with these sites, which are cornerstones of our nature recovery work. 

“We need a ‘Team Wales’ approach if we are to achieve our ambitious plans to restore nature. We want everyone in Wales to see nature - because if people engage with nature, they value nature.”

The sites, a number of which are based in Brecon and Radnorshire, provide a vital sanctuary and high level of protection to nearly 70 species, and more than 50 types of habitats which face threats worldwide.

They also contribute significantly to the Welsh economy through tourism recreation, farming, fishing and forestry. And they provide vital life-support services for all of us – including purifying drinking water, and storing carbon.

National Heritage Memorial Fund has taken responsibility for administering the Nature Networks Fund, Andrew White,Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said:

“From restoring wetlands, to creating rich habitat for wildlife to flourish, it is vital that we preserve and rebuild our natural heritage.

“The Nature Networks scheme, in partnership with the Welsh Government, will allow projects to carry out direct conservation which is essential in protecting our biodiversity, and will also increase public awareness of how and why we need to protect our future.”

Project SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities), operating in Carmarthen Bay and Tremadog Bay is just one of the projects to benefit from this announcement.

The collaborative project led by ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and Natural Resources Wales received £390,000, alongside funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and On the EDGE Conservation, to carry out vital conservation research on Wales’ marine environment with a strong focus on sharks, skates and rays.

They will use the funding to catalyse links between fishers, researchers, communities and government to help safeguard these species and support a green recovery in Wales.

Joanna Barker, Senior Project Manager at ZSL, said: “We’re excited to scale up our collaboration with fishers and complete innovative research to better understand the amazing shark, skate and ray species that use two of Wales’ Special Areas of Conservation.

“With several opportunities for schools and local communities to be part of Project SIARC, we hope to generate a new appreciation of the underwater environment in Wales and identify ways for a wider range of people to get involved.”

Some of the projects that may be of local interest that are being awarded funding are:

• Working together for nature in the Elan Valley, Welsh Water Elan Valley Trust - £87,500

This project will implement priority actions on Elan’s designated sites identified by NRW and informed by the Elan Links HLF scheme.

• Low Density tree planting in protected areas, Coed Cyrmu Cyf - £93,800

The project focuses on native woodland creation in Powys in up to three locations adjacent to SSSIs. The project will bring more woodland into management and create woodland habitats that are not suitable for farming or timber / forestry.

• Nature Reserves Grassland Restoration, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust - £66,800

This project will focus on important areas of unimproved grassland and wetland on Radnorshire Wildlife Trust’s SSSI nature reserves: Burfa Bog, Llanbwchllyn Lake and Gilfach. The focus is on improving infrastructure, purchasing equipment and working with graziers to ensure better grazing management of these sites and make them more resilient.

• Lower Wye Valley Nature Networks, Herefordshire Council/Wye Valley ANOB - £258,446

A collaborative project between the Wye Valley ANOB partnership, Gwent Wildlife trust and woodland trust focussing on designated sites in the Wye valley ANOB, their management and connectivity.

• Reconnecting the Salmon rivers of Wales, Swansea University - £497,457

The project will help reconnect five iconic Atlantic salmon rivers in Wales (W.Cleddau, E.Cleddau, Usk, Tywi, Teifi) and revert the impacts caused by habitat fragmentation which is a leading loss of river biodiversity and responsible for the decline of salmon and other migratory fish in Wales.

• Coast to Commons, National Trust - £496,580

The project will focus on six areas across Wales where funding would lead to the greatest impact on site condition and wider landscape resilience.

Address underlying causes of inappropriate management, identify innovative solutions such as No-fence collars for cattle, contribute to the circular economy and promote stakeholder engagement.