Planting has begun to create a 3km hedgerow “super highway” at the National Trust’s 647ha Y Foel site in Snowdonia – the first big land management project on the site since Will Bigwood took over as farm manager a year ago.
The hedgerows will connect to larger woodland spaces, offering a lifeline to a host of woodland species such as lesser horseshoe bats, which use hedgerows to find their way to feeding areas and roost sites.
“We’re also planning to improve the heath and moorland habitats,” said Mr Bigwood.
“These places will become an ideal nesting and feeding place for other Red List birds, such as the hen harrier, golden plover and red grouse.”
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He also plans to graze cattle around the fringes of the site, to help keep bracken low and allow other plants to grow.
“This is a great and natural way to maintain the habitat and ensure a wider variety of wildlife.”
The hedgerows are being established through a collaborative effort of a 40-strong group, which includes members of the local Cwm Penmachno community, National Trust staff, and representatives from Natural Resources Wales, Eryri National Park and Llais y Goedwig.
The saplings were given to Foel through the “My Tree Our Forest” project – a joint initiative between the Welsh government and the Woodland Trust in Wales.
As well as biodiversity improvement, the other aims are carbon capture and flood risk mitigation.
Trystan Edwards, National Trust Cymru general manager for Snowdonia, said: “Foel provides a canvas for us to heal climate harm and create wonderful spaces for nature to thrive at a time when it is needed the most.
“An exciting future lies ahead, with plans for nature-friendly grazing, blocking man-made ditches in deep peat allowing them to function naturally to store carbon rather than release it, and restore rivers.”
