Public urged to help save Wales’ shrinking woodlands
Volunteers are needed to help stave off the threat of diminishing woodland in Wales, says The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.
The conservation charity recently got its message over at the annual Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) flower show in Cardiff’s Bute Park.
Officials are concerned at the threat to local woodlands and are trying to raise some much-needed awareness so that the public can get involved.
Their appeal is made in the light of a worrying statistic that only around 12% of Britain’s area is now made up of woodland.
Trust marketing officer Rebecca Vincent said: “This is the lowest percentage of woodland in Europe and we thought this message needed some attention. There has been a dramatic reduction in the area of ancient woodland in the UK and in Wales.
“Much woodland has been replaced by coniferous plantation, converted to agricultural use, over-grazed, or lost to development. Most of our remaining ancient woodland is scattered in small fragments across the UK. Lack of management or neglect has also contributed to the decline.”
But the trust is trying to fight back through its current wild woodlands project, which is funded by a biodiversity action fund from community-grant organisation, Wren.
The money is rejuvenating the management of some areas that are in need of attention to improve their condition, increase biodiversity and eradicate invasive non-native species.
The trust recently showcased its latest cause at the RHS flower show in Cardiff through a specially-created garden on site.
It consisted of a fibreglass tree from The Woodland Trust, a willow owl by Out to Learn Willow, a handmade, one-of-a-kind bench made from locally-sourced wood, and a variety of woodland plants and animal ornaments, from Pugh’s Garden Centre in Radyr.
Rebecca added: “We were thrilled to received an enormous amount of support, both in the build up and during the show, and we would like to extend our thanks to everyone involved.”