Welsh Charity Secures 405 Hectares for Flagship Rewilding Initiative in Mid-Wales
A Welsh charity has made a significant leap in environmental conservation by acquiring more than 405 hectares (1,000 acres) in Ceredigion, located in the Cambrian mountains of mid-Wales. This purchase establishes what is set to become Wales' largest rewilding project, designed to help the country catch up with extensive nature recovery efforts already underway across the United Kingdom.
Funding and Vision Behind the Cwm Doethie Project
Tir Natur (Nature's Land), founded in 2022, announced the acquisition of the site at Cwm Doethie in Elenydd following a successful fundraising campaign that raised 50% of the £2.2 million purchase price. A philanthropic bridging loan facilitated the completion of the sale. The charity is now continuing its fundraising efforts to initiate early restoration work and community activities on this expansive rewilding site.
Naturalist and broadcaster Iolo Williams, who serves as an ambassador for Tir Natur, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "I am hugely excited by their efforts to purchase land and showcase the benefits of rewilding, not only to wildlife and the physical environment, but to farming, Welsh communities and culture. Nature needs this," he stated.
Chair Tash Reilly emphasized the project's broader impact in a statement. "This site will demonstrate what's possible when we allow nature to take the lead and work for people again. It's a hopeful, practical vision anyone can contribute to," she said.
Ecological Restoration and Community Engagement Plans
The rewilding project aims to restore the natural landscape of Cwm Doethie, which includes rivers, peat bogs, and ancient woodland. This restoration is expected to act as a carbon sink and reduce the risk of flooding downstream. Key goals include encouraging the return of native species such as red squirrels, pine martens, polecats, curlews, and hen harriers, while creating new nature corridors and habitats for beavers and butterflies.
To kickstart natural regeneration, Tir Natur plans to implement a wild grazing system using traditional cattle, pony, and pig breeds. These animals will serve as "ecosystem architects" by turning over the soil and promoting ecological recovery.
The site, previously considered poor for grazing and unsuitable for commercial forestry due to its location in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has sparked some concerns. Ian Rickman, president of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), voiced reservations about "the scale and transparency of this project." He noted, "While it is positive that the role of livestock has been acknowledged, questions remain over how such a large area of land will be managed and funded in practice." The FUW intends to collaborate with the charity to ensure local farmers and rural communities are adequately heard and considered.
Tir Natur has reiterated its commitment to supporting Welsh communities and culture, aiming to avoid displacing productive farming activities.
Context and Comparisons with Other UK Rewilding Efforts
Once fully established, the Cwm Doethie valley in the Cambrian mountains will become by far the largest rewilding site in Wales. In comparison, some of the biggest rewilding projects in the UK include Cairngorms Connect at 60,703 hectares (150,000 acres), Rewilding Affric Highlands at 8,094 hectares (20,000 acres) in Scotland, and Wild Ennerdale in the Lake District at 4,452 hectares (11,000 acres).
The UK's biodiversity status remains a concern, ranking 229th out of 240 nations with an averaged score of 50% on the Natural History Museum's Biodiversity Intactness Index. This falls well below the 90% threshold considered safe for ecosystem function.
This project follows another major rewilding initiative in Wales, Summit to Sea, which aimed to establish a protection area from the Pumlumon massif to Cardigan Bay in 2017. After facing criticism from local communities, it was re-established as Tir Canol (Middle Ground) in 2020, now focusing on a smaller area of Elenydd.
