Montgomery Canal, Llanymynech Golf Club and Lake Vyrnwy are among the projects to have secured nearly £1 million of Welsh Government funding to boost nature.
A total of 29 projects across Wales will benefit from the Nature Networks Fund, but local interest will see a range of benefits from boosting butterfly numbers to supporting conservation.
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’.
The Minister will confirm £7m of Welsh Government support for these projects in the Senedd later today where she is expected to say: “Tackling the climate and nature emergencies is at the heart of everything we do – we must protect our environment for future generations to enjoy.
The local projects expected to benefit:
Llanymynech Golf Club Restoration for Butterflies, Llanymynech Golf Club – £91,400
Part of Llanymynech Hill, the location has rare bryophytes and is one of the best sites for butterflies in Wales, with the very rare pearl bordered fritillary recorded there recently. The project will clear scrub and reintroduce some grazing using both sheep and cattle and also to restore and then manage areas of bracken that are infested with bramble.
Lake Vyrnwy, RSPB Cymru – £499,500
Project aims to improve the condition and resilience of the RSPB’s landholdings around the Lake Vyrnwy Estate, benefitting from a wider programme of work. This funding would support key conservation actions including blanket bog restoration on former conifer plantation, predator control, landscape scale approaches, including farmer-led support, and enhanced conservation grazing.
Luronium Futures- Montgomery Canal, Canal & River Trust – £357,800
Site of interest due to aquatic, emergent and marginal plant communities of exceptional interest. The towpath affords easy access for local people and visitors. This project aims to improve the canal channel conditions for rare plants and to enhance to conservation status of the SAC.