A new project will look for economic and well-being benefits in a rare woodland habitat. Darllen yn Gymraeg.
Celtic rainforests, or temperate rainforests, are the remains of the woodland that would have covered much of western Britain after the last Ice Age. They are associated with high rainfall and a mild climate, and support a rich variety of ferns, mosses, liverworts, lichens, fungi, birds and mammals.
Over the years they have suffered from challenges including the planting of conifers, the invasion of species such as Rhododendron ponticum, and grazing by sheep and deer, and are now the focus of restoration projects.
The Dyfi Biosphere includes several areas of rainforest including Coed Cwm Einion, which is one of the core protected areas. A new project has been launched to connect and restore them, while bringing economic and wellbeing benefits to its local communities.
The Dyfi Biosphere Celtic Rainforest Communities Project is a collaboration between the Local Nature Partnerships, Local Authorities, charities, conservation groups and community organisations, and will take place in February and March this year.
The project will explore and tap into the wide-ranging benefits of the National Forest for Wales. Activity will include surveying the woodlands, improving habitats, tree planting and coppicing to increase biodiversity.
In addition, processing timber on-site and training will bring local economic opportunity, while local communities including children and vulnerable adults will have the opportunity to get out into the woods with woodland wellbeing workshops and conservation volunteering.
It is hoped that this project will pave the way for a wider and active partnership long term, with a vision of collaboration that benefits both nature and the local communities for years to come.
This project is funded by Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales Landscape Pilot 2024/2025, administered by WCVA.
The project is being run through Ceredigion Local Nature Partnership with project partners including Ceredigion County Council, Coetir Anian, Coed Lleol / Smallwoods, RSPB Ynyshir, Eryri National Park Authority and Camu Ymlaen & Padarn day Support Services.
For more information contact – Fiona Moran, Biodiversity Assistant, Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council, Fiona.Moran@ceredigion.gov.uk.
For upcoming public events, training and programmes announcements for this project visit Coed Lleol and Coetir Anian. These include -
Forage Fire & Feast - Woodland Wellbeing Days, Weekly starting Mon 3 March 10.30 - 14.30 for 6 weeks. Gwersyll y Bryniau, near Pantperthog, Machynlleth. Contact - jeanettegray@smallwoods.org.uk
Rapid Rainforest Assessment Training, 18 March, Tre'r-ddol near Machynlleth. Contact Awel.Jones@eryri.llyw.cymru
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