European Rewilding Network
ERN2110
Cambrian Wildwood / Coetir Anian
Large-scale nature restoration in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales
The reintroduction of large herbivores is integral to the wildlife experience and to the development of the habitats.
Coetir Anian
All internal fencing has been removed. Land drainage ditches have been blocked to restore the natural hydrology.
Coetir Anian
Cambrian Wildwood brings people to the site who do not normally experience wild nature, for example school children and teenagers, people from deprived urban areas, people in addiction recovery and asylum seekers.
Coetir Anian
Large herbivores such as cattle and horses have been reintroduced into Cambrian Wildwood. They aim to restore all native herbivore species.
Coetir Anian
This project is unique for Wales in its holistic approach to ecosystem restoration, where tree cover is being increased along with the restoration of heathland and bog habitats, along with the ambitious plans for species restoration.
Coetir Anian
Cambrian Wildwood (Coetir Anian) is restoring habitats and species and providing well-being activities for people in the Cambrian Mountains of west Wales. Locally, rewilding is interpreted as land abandonment, but this is not a feature of this project. With a small remnant of native temperate rainforest, they are restoring more woodland cover, heathland and blanket bog on their 140 hectare site. The long-term aim is to expand to 3000 hectares, through land purchase and working with neighboring landowners.
The reintroduction of large herbivores is integral to the wildlife experience and to the development of the habitats. The Cambrian Wildwood group introduced wild horses in April and June 2018 and now have a herd of 9 roaming the land. During the summer months, Highland Cattle join the horses to assist with grazing. Other species are a longer term plan, including water voles and red squirrels.
The initiative prioritizes opportunities that habitat and species restoration provide for people to interact with nature first hand. Cambrian Wildwood is a community resource, where local people can participate in a project set in their local landscape.
Project:
Cambrian Wildwood / Coetir Anian
Region:
Glaspwll, Wales, UK.
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
To own and manage areas of land in Wales, including at least one large area. To work with neighboring landowners to facilitate integrated access, to establish continuity of habitats and to form partnerships for species reintroductions. To host a range of organised activities on our sites, including research and monitoring, conservation work, nature experience, cultural and educational activities; to hold programmes for school children, youths and adults from specific groups, including those who do not normally connect with nature.
To preserve wild land or restore land to a wilder state with thriving natural habitats and abundant wildlife – by carrying out habitat restoration and introducing native species that are locally absent, within existing constraints, whether environmental, economic or social. To encourage people to access and enjoy our sites by providing low impact walking, cycling, wheelchair and horse-riding routes, facilitating responsible wild camping and enabling a broad cross-section of society to visit the wild land.
Uniqueness of the project:
This project is unique for Wales in its holistic approach to ecosystem restoration, where tree cover is being increased along with the restoration of heathland and bog habitats, along with the ambitious plans for species restoration. The introduction of horse and cattle as wildlife species in their own right, not simply as habitat management tools, is a novel perspective. The education and well-being programmes with immersion in a wild landscape are a unique attribute of this project.
Other activities:
Community involved, Education, Recreational activities, Research
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
Significant development of tree cover; increase in heathland vegetation; and restored bog habitat. Introduction of water vole and red squirrel.
Results so far:
All internal fencing has been removed. Land drainage ditches have been blocked to restore the natural hydrology. Wild horses and cattle have been introduced. Tree cover is increasing through natural regeneration and 'no fence' tree planting. The project has hosted 3 camps for young people, and about 30 school days on site, plus other day events. The site has hosted 2 hide tanning camps provided by a partner. The project has held 37 volunteer work days. It has held one commercial Wild Living Camp, and 2 camps for people recovering from addiction: these both proved successful and informed the plans to continue next year, along with days and camps for asylum seekers. Contact with neighbouring landowners has been established, with agreements in principle to work with 4 of these. One neighbour owns the cattle that graze the site on a seasonal basis.
Woodland area increased by 5 hectares; 500 individual trees were planted across site as seed sources.
Woodland area increased by 5 hectares; 500 individual trees were planted across site as seed sources.
Inspirational value:
The significant impact of organised activities bringing people to the site who do not normally experience wild nature, for example school children and teenagers, people from deprived urban areas, people in addiction recovery and asylum seekers. The power of wild nature to improve mental health and fill people with optimism and admiration for the natural world is consistently observed.
Experience you would like to share:
The significant impact of organised activities bringing people to the site who do not normally experience wild nature. Methods to assist expansion of tree cover in the presence of herbivores. Bringing marginalized people to wild land.
Experience you would like to gain:
Developing partnerships and species reintroductions.
Country
UK, Wales
Start year
2017
Size (ha)
140
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Temperate deciduous forest, Wetlands
Natural process
Natural grazing, River dynamics, Wetland dynamics
Flagship species
Feral cattle, Feral horses, Otter
The reintroduction of large herbivores is integral to the wildlife experience and to the development of the habitats.
Coetir Anian
All internal fencing has been removed. Land drainage ditches have been blocked to restore the natural hydrology.
Coetir Anian
Cambrian Wildwood brings people to the site who do not normally experience wild nature, for example school children and teenagers, people from deprived urban areas, people in addiction recovery and asylum seekers.
Coetir Anian
Large herbivores such as cattle and horses have been reintroduced into Cambrian Wildwood. They aim to restore all native herbivore species.
Coetir Anian
This project is unique for Wales in its holistic approach to ecosystem restoration, where tree cover is being increased along with the restoration of heathland and bog habitats, along with the ambitious plans for species restoration.
Coetir Anian
Cambrian Wildwood (Coetir Anian) is restoring habitats and species and providing well-being activities for people in the Cambrian Mountains of west Wales. Locally, rewilding is interpreted as land abandonment, but this is not a feature of this project. With a small remnant of native temperate rainforest, they are restoring more woodland cover, heathland and blanket bog on their 140 hectare site. The long-term aim is to expand to 3000 hectares, through land purchase and working with neighboring landowners.
The reintroduction of large herbivores is integral to the wildlife experience and to the development of the habitats. The Cambrian Wildwood group introduced wild horses in April and June 2018 and now have a herd of 9 roaming the land. During the summer months, Highland Cattle join the horses to assist with grazing. Other species are a longer term plan, including water voles and red squirrels.
The initiative prioritizes opportunities that habitat and species restoration provide for people to interact with nature first hand. Cambrian Wildwood is a community resource, where local people can participate in a project set in their local landscape.
Country
UK, Wales
Start year
2017
Size (ha)
140
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Temperate deciduous forest, Wetlands
Natural process
Natural grazing, River dynamics, Wetland dynamics
Flagship species
Feral cattle, Feral horses, Otter
Specification
Project:
Cambrian Wildwood / Coetir Anian
Region:
Glaspwll, Wales, UK.
Description
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
To own and manage areas of land in Wales, including at least one large area. To work with neighboring landowners to facilitate integrated access, to establish continuity of habitats and to form partnerships for species reintroductions. To host a range of organised activities on our sites, including research and monitoring, conservation work, nature experience, cultural and educational activities; to hold programmes for school children, youths and adults from specific groups, including those who do not normally connect with nature.
To preserve wild land or restore land to a wilder state with thriving natural habitats and abundant wildlife – by carrying out habitat restoration and introducing native species that are locally absent, within existing constraints, whether environmental, economic or social. To encourage people to access and enjoy our sites by providing low impact walking, cycling, wheelchair and horse-riding routes, facilitating responsible wild camping and enabling a broad cross-section of society to visit the wild land.
Uniqueness of the project:
This project is unique for Wales in its holistic approach to ecosystem restoration, where tree cover is being increased along with the restoration of heathland and bog habitats, along with the ambitious plans for species restoration. The introduction of horse and cattle as wildlife species in their own right, not simply as habitat management tools, is a novel perspective. The education and well-being programmes with immersion in a wild landscape are a unique attribute of this project.
Other activities:
Community involved, Education, Recreational activities, Research
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
Significant development of tree cover; increase in heathland vegetation; and restored bog habitat. Introduction of water vole and red squirrel.
Results so far:
All internal fencing has been removed. Land drainage ditches have been blocked to restore the natural hydrology. Wild horses and cattle have been introduced. Tree cover is increasing through natural regeneration and 'no fence' tree planting. The project has hosted 3 camps for young people, and about 30 school days on site, plus other day events. The site has hosted 2 hide tanning camps provided by a partner. The project has held 37 volunteer work days. It has held one commercial Wild Living Camp, and 2 camps for people recovering from addiction: these both proved successful and informed the plans to continue next year, along with days and camps for asylum seekers. Contact with neighbouring landowners has been established, with agreements in principle to work with 4 of these. One neighbour owns the cattle that graze the site on a seasonal basis.
Woodland area increased by 5 hectares; 500 individual trees were planted across site as seed sources.
Woodland area increased by 5 hectares; 500 individual trees were planted across site as seed sources.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
The significant impact of organised activities bringing people to the site who do not normally experience wild nature, for example school children and teenagers, people from deprived urban areas, people in addiction recovery and asylum seekers. The power of wild nature to improve mental health and fill people with optimism and admiration for the natural world is consistently observed.
Experience you would like to share:
The significant impact of organised activities bringing people to the site who do not normally experience wild nature. Methods to assist expansion of tree cover in the presence of herbivores. Bringing marginalized people to wild land.
Experience you would like to gain:
Developing partnerships and species reintroductions.
