Welsh charity buys more than 405 hectares for rewilding

"A Welsh charity has bought more than 405 hectares (1,000 acres) in Ceredigion to establish Cymru's flagship rewilding project, helping the country catch up with large-scale nature recovery projects under way elsewhere in the UK. Tir Natur (Nature's Land), founded in 2022, announced it had acquired the site at Cwm Doethie in Elenydd, or the Cambrian mountains, after a fundraising drive raised 50% of the 2.2m purchase price. A philanthropic bridging loan enabled the sale."

"Tir Natur says the project will restore Cwm Doethie's natural landscape, which includes rivers, peat bogs and ancient woodland, acting as a carbon sink and reducing the risk of flooding downstream. It aims to encourage the return of red squirrels, pine martens, polecats, curlews and hen harriers, and create new nature corridors and habitats for beavers and butterflies. The charity also plans to use a wild grazing system involving traditional cattle, pony and pig breeds to act as ecosystem architects that kickstart natural regeneration by turning over soil."

"Naturalist and broadcaster Iolo Williams, an ambassador for the charity, said: 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. Chair Tash Reilly said 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."

Tir Natur purchased more than 405 hectares at Cwm Doethie in Elenydd to establish a major rewilding project in Ceredigion. Half of the £2.2m purchase price was raised through fundraising, with a philanthropic bridging loan enabling the sale and further fundraising ongoing for restoration and community activities. The site includes rivers, peat bogs and ancient woodland and will act as a carbon sink while reducing downstream flood risk. The project aims to restore habitats, encourage red squirrels, pine martens, polecats, curlews and hen harriers, create corridors for beavers and butterflies, and use traditional grazers to kickstart natural regeneration.

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