The funding has been awarded by Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by WCVA.
The reserves which will benefit from the funding are Aberderfryn, Stryt Las and Brandie Brook in Johnstown, Wrexham and Glascoed in St Asaph.
Glascoed in St Asaph is an open access reserve covering nearly 8 hectares. The reserve was created in 2000 to help support the Great Crested Newts, displaced by the construction of St Asaph Business Park.
The funding so far has helped improve the site infrastructure for access and conservation, including repairs to the bird hide, fences and styles, and replacing old gates. We have also been able to pull ragwort to allow conservation grazing to take place, as well as conducting wildlife surveys over the summer months. The next milestones for the project will be creation of a new pond for newts and additional interpretation and signage for visitors.
Kate Wilson Reserve officer for the site has been undertaking bird surveys with results submitted to Cofnod and has taken part in the Big Butterfly Count.
The three sites in Johnstown Wrexham have had various activities taking place such as the removal of 25 bags of rubbish plus a shopping trolley, repairing of anti-social behaviour activities - graffiti, campfire sites and the damaged boundary at Aberderfyn.
Emma Ellis, Reserve Officer for the Johnstown sites is enjoying getting to know the regular users of the site
“It has been great being able to spend more time on the site. It has allowed us to get to know the regular users who enjoy the sites”.
Additional wildlife-themed activities are planned for all four of the sites to include volunteering, community events, education, and training days as allowed by Covid-19 guidelines. You can keep update with these projects, Wild Grounds other reserves and conservation and biodiversity work by following us on Facebook @WildGroundTirGwyllt and Twitter @WildGroundNW
The funding has been awarded by Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by WCVA.
Banner picture Aberderfyn, Johnstown
Article picture Brandie Brook, Johnstown