Woodland projects to get share of £1m – and more is available
THE first six projects that will form part of a Wales-wide network of woodlands for local communities enjoy are each getting a share of more than £1m in grants.
The money has come from The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) – part of the Welsh Government’s National Forest programme.
The grant programme is run by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and it works to create, restore and enhance woodlands in Wales.
Minister for Climate Change Julie James said: “It’s been lovely to see the range of applicants awarded grants in the first round of The Woodland Investment Grant.
“With more funding rounds to go, we want more people to come forward and apply for funding so they can grow beautiful outdoor spaces for their local community. We all benefit from woodlands – they help us and wildlife live healthier lives, they improve our wellbeing, and help us mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.”
The TWIG programme was launched by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in June 2022 and it provides grants of £40,000 – £250,000.
This is the first round of five over the next couple of years. Round 3 closes to expressions of interest on February 16.
Andrew White, director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said: “Funding natural heritage projects which help tackle the effects of climate change and support nature’s recovery is a key priority for the National Lottery Heritage Fund.” The six projects being funded are: ■ Ymddiriedolaeth Nant Gwrtheyrn is receiving £209,060 for the ‘Coedwig Nant Gwrtheyrn’ project.
On the Llyn Peninsula, this project will re-establish a native woodland on the steep coastal slopes near Nant Gwrtheyrn. The current conifers are old and deteriorating and their dangerous condition and the challenging terrain means even experienced hikers can’t get to the woodland.
The project will connect Nant Gwrtheyrn to local businesses in the nearby village of Llithfaen.
■ The National Trust’s Stackpole Woodland Enhancements project in Pembrokeshire is receiving £249,302 to combat climate change and restore ecosystems.
Stackpole woodland is being affected by issues such as non-native invasive species which are slowly choking it. Contractors will treat or remove species such as rhododendron, laurel, balsam and knotweed.
Work will also include removing dead and dying conifers, replanting more native broadleaf species. Pathways will be cleared and a disused forester’s hut will be converted into a space for interpretation.
■ The Awen Cultural Trust’s Enhancing Bryngarw’s Historic Woodland project in Bridgend is receiving £103,082.
The project will improve the health and quality of Bryngarw’s woodlands to provide a resilient and enduring piece of natural heritage.
■ Pontypridd Town Council’s Meadow Street Woods project is receiving £197,011.
The Meadow Street community is an accessible community garden reinvigorated from a derelict plot of land with funding from the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature programme run by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. On the same site is a woodland that has been left unmaintained and this project will turn it into an urban woodland.
■ Oak Field Primary School is getting £50,000 for its Oak Field Community Woodland project in Barry.
The school has created a wildlife area and pond and is in the process of establishing a community allotment.
There is an acre of overgrown land around this area and the project will see pupils, the local community and experts working together to develop an urban woodland on it.
■ Dŵr Cymru is receiving £250,000 for the Llanddegfedd Lake Phase 1 project near Pontypool.
This two-year project will focus on delivering multi-purpose woodlands to create access for recreation, tourism, community engagement, education and learning opportunities as well as enhancing the woodlands.
It involves three woodlands – Coed Pentre-waun, Coed Sluvad and Coed Cwmbwrwch. Visitors to the site will eventually be able to access all three woodlands throughout the year.