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Read in: EnglishCymraeg
Grasslands in Wales are facing increasing threats and we are working to create positive change.
This 3-year partnership project will strive to recover the condition of some of our most important places for grassland habitats.
Grasslands in Wales face increasing threats – from development, pollution and unsustainable land management practices. We are responding to these challenges through the Glaswelltiroedd Gwydn (Resilient Grasslands) project – in partnership with North Wales Wildlife Trust.
This project will run for 3 years until March 2026, and will work with farmers and landowners to protect, enhance and restore semi-natural grassland habitats across Wales.
40% of threatened Welsh wildflowers and fungi depend on semi-natural grasslands
Semi-natural grasslands are one of Wales’ most important habitats – but are often overlooked.
These meadows and pastures have a critical role in:
Once dominating the landscape, these habitats declined by 90% in the last century and now cover just 9% of Wales.
Grasslands that have not been recently cultivated, re-sowed or received fertiliser application. They are created by low-intensity, traditional farming, and contain a rich variety of grasses, fungi and flowers.
Read more: Grasslands and why they are in trouble
Grassland restoration is essential to stem the decline of our wildflowers and wildlife. We need to act now to protect these important places and their flora and fauna, support sustainable agriculture and mitigate against climate change.
Our focus is land on or near Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Important Plant Areas (IPAs) and Important Fungus Areas (IFAs) – but we will also work on grasslands right across Wales.
Rhôs pasture – Rhos means ‘Moor’ in Welsh. Often dominated by purple moor-grass, it is rich in biodiversity, provides valuable grazing and helps prevent flooding. It is vulnerable to draining, tree planting and being abandoned to scrub.
Meadows – Flower-rich meadows are vital for pollinators and other insects – and beneficial to livestock health. Their disastrous decline is mainly due to increased agricultural intensity in the last century.
Ancient grassland for rare fungi – Grassland with no agricultural improvement since 1840, providing an ideal habitat for many rare fungi. The UK is of global importance for waxcap fungi – a focus of this project.
We have developed a training programme for young farmers, alongside our partners Llysfasi agricultural college and Pasture for Life, to highlight the benefits of lower input land management and the return of species-rich grassland.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, food security and a decrease in profit margins are all causes for concern within the farming sector. We need a farming system that is sustainable and profitable while delivering high quality produce, protecting nature and rural communities. By engaging with young farmers and land managers, we hope to support positive change in livestock farming in Wales that benefits both farmers and biodiversity.
As part of the programme, we have taken some students to Pentwyn – a working hill farm owned by Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, which aims to make space for nature while still producing high welfare products under a low input model.
We taught students how to identify key plant species which can give an indication of the quality and type of grassland – and how best to manage it.
Wildflowers, now viewed as weeds by some farmers, were once recognised for their nutritional benefits to livestock. Plants such as Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus and Yarrow Achillea millefolium would have acted as natural anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, and wormers. With their deep rooting systems these wildflowers also provide stability, aeration, and nutrients back into the soil they grow from.
Looking into soil health, we also took samples and measured the depth of topsoil to highlight the issues caused by compaction from overgrazing and the use of heavy machinery. We hope training sessions like this will help young farmers feel better prepared for a future in farming that is good for people, planet and plants.
Are you a farmer or land manager?
We want to partner with farmers and landowners who are eager to explore what diverse grasslands could do for them, their farms and for nature.
We can provide advice, technical support and information – which may help decisions around the SFS and your farm business.
There’s a role for everyone with the Glaswelltiroedd Gwydn project! We’re looking for volunteers who can:
We would love to hear from anyone interested in volunteering for Glaswelltiroedd Gwydn. Please contact volunteering@plantlife.org.uk for more details.
Follow us for further updates on the project!
If you would like to contribute to the funding of this project, please get in touch with Beth, our Senior Partnerships Officer at Beth.webb@plantlife.org.uk
The Nature Networks Fund (round two) is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales.
We would like to thank all of the trusts and funders who support this project, including those listed below and the Mackintosh Foundation.
Wildflower meadows are often a defining feature of the summer, but when managed properly they can also be a vital habitat for wildlife and nature recovery.
Take a look through our guidance on managing meadows, the equipment needed, which seeds to choose and much much more.
Discover how Wales’ flagship green recovery project Natur am Byth! is helping to unravel the mystery of a vanishing lichen.
As governments continue to undervalue grasslands, Plantlife is calling on policymakers to help farmers make sustainable choices.
Discover how Plantlife is working with governments to protect and restore temperate rainforest along the Atlantic coast of Britain.
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