In a significant stride towards nature restoration, a Welsh charity has secured over 405 hectares (approximately 1,000 acres) of land in Ceredigion to launch what it describes as Cymru’s flagship rewilding initiative. The project, spearheaded by Tir Natur, aims to elevate Wales’s efforts in large-scale nature recovery, aligning with similar environmental undertakings across the United Kingdom.
A Landmark Acquisition
Tir Natur, established in 2022, announced the successful acquisition of the Cwm Doethie site in the Cambrian mountains following a successful fundraising campaign that covered half of the £2.2 million purchase cost. A philanthropic bridging loan facilitated the transaction, allowing the charity to commence its plans for ecological restoration and community engagement.
Naturalist and broadcaster Iolo Williams, who serves as an ambassador for Tir Natur, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “I am hugely excited by their efforts to purchase land and showcase the benefits of rewilding, not only to wildlife and the physical environment, but to farming, Welsh communities and culture. Nature needs this,” he stated, underscoring the project’s potential to foster biodiversity and community resilience.
Ecological Restoration Goals
The Cwm Doethie project is designed to rejuvenate the natural landscape of the area, which comprises rivers, peat bogs, and ancient woodlands. This restoration effort is not merely about aesthetic improvements; it aims to create a carbon sink that can mitigate flooding risks downstream. Plans are in place to reintroduce native wildlife, including red squirrels, pine martens, curlews, and hen harriers, while also establishing new corridors and habitats for beavers and butterflies.
Additionally, Tir Natur intends to implement a wild grazing system that involves the use of traditional breeds of cattle, ponies, and pigs. These animals will serve as “ecosystem architects,” facilitating natural regeneration through their grazing and soil turnover activities.
Community Concerns and Collaboration
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the project, there are apprehensions within the local farming community regarding its scale and management. Ian Rickman, president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), articulated these concerns, stating that while the integration of livestock in rewilding efforts is a positive development, uncertainty remains about the practicalities of managing such a vast area. “Questions remain over how such a large area of land will be managed and funded in practice,” he noted.
Rickman affirmed the FUW’s commitment to collaborating with Tir Natur to ensure that the perspectives of local farmers and rural communities are acknowledged throughout the project’s implementation.
Tir Natur has reassured stakeholders that the initiative seeks to bolster Welsh culture and communities while avoiding the displacement of productive farming practices.
A Comparative Perspective
The Cwm Doethie site is set to become the largest rewilding area in Wales, dwarfing other initiatives across the UK. For context, the Cairngorms Connect project spans an impressive 60,703 hectares (150,000 acres), while Scotland’s Rewilding Affric Highlands covers 8,094 hectares (20,000 acres). In contrast, the Lake District’s Wild Ennerdale encompasses 4,452 hectares (11,000 acres).
According to the Biodiversity Intactness Index published by the Natural History Museum, the UK ranks 229th out of 240 countries, with an average score of merely 50%. This figure starkly contrasts with the 90% threshold deemed necessary for sustainable ecosystem function, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive conservation strategies.
Previously, Wales witnessed the Summit to Sea initiative, which aimed to create a protected area stretching from the Pumlumon massif to Cardigan Bay. This project, covering 10,117 hectares (25,000 acres) of land and a 28,328-hectare (70,000-acre) marine zone, faced local criticism and was later rebranded as Tir Canol in 2020, narrowing its focus to a more manageable area within Elenydd.
Why it Matters
This rewilding effort represents not merely an ecological restoration initiative but a vital step towards rekindling the relationship between communities and their natural surroundings. By fostering biodiversity and providing a platform for community involvement, Tir Natur’s project could pave the way for a new model of environmental stewardship in Wales. As the nation grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, projects like Cwm Doethie are crucial in demonstrating the potential for nature to thrive when given the space and support it needs.