Our mission is simply to ‘grow’ the area of semi-natural grasslands in Wales. These colourful meadows brimming with life now only cover 9% of Wales. They used to occupy 90% more land 50 years ago.

What is the Glaswelltiroedd Gwydn (Resilient Grasslands) project doing?

We are working to restore or enhance semi-natural grassland habitats in conjunction with farm businesses. We are meeting farmers at engagement events and raising awareness amongst students via sessions at agricultural colleges. We also advise farmers on how to manage their meadows after carrying out a survey and produce guides such as ‘Is that a good weed?’. Our training sessions on surveying techniques such as the Waxcap Watch are proving to be popular.

Passionate About Semi-natural Grasslands!

Why are we focussing on grasslands on farms? Doesn’t farmland mainly contain grassland? In Plantlife we’re passionate about semi-natural grasslands. These are grasslands which have been managed for grazing and hay over several years. They have not been improved in any way – no cultivation, re-seeding or fertiliser. The result is that they are full of flowering plants, fungi and a variety of different grass species.

Welsh Semi-natural Grasslands in Crisis

Semi-natural grasslands in Wales are in crisis. They have reduced in area by 90% over the last 50 years and now only occupy 9% of land. The main threat comes from the drive to ‘improve’ land through ploughing, reseeding and applying fertiliser. Regularly cutting grass to produce silage to feed animals is also detrimental to hay meadows, since the plants don’t have the chance to flower and set seed.

Why are Semi-natural Grasslands Important?

The list of benefits which semi-natural grasslands bring with them is long.

Hay and grazing meadows rich in wildflowers contain far more nutrients than fields with only a small number of grass species.

As many as 40% of wildflowers and fungi which are under threat in Wales depend on semi-natural grasslands.

Flower-rich meadows store far more carbon than grasslands which are regularly cut for silage.

Grasses and flowering plants which have a long growing season stop water running off the land and so reduce the chance of flooding and drought.

Flower-rich fields have soil which is healthier and can keep stock healthy by naturally treating their ailments.

With the flowers come invertebrates including butterflies, bees and bugs many of which are pollinators.

Tall flowering plants and grasses can act as cover from predators for chicks of ground-nesting birds such as curlew and lapwing.