New Local Wildlife Sites Discovered in Radnorshire!

New Local Wildlife Sites Discovered in Radnorshire!

Jerry Kent

Radnorshire Wildlife Trusts (RWT) are reflecting on a successful year of surveying and inspiring collaborations that have strengthened local conservation efforts through their Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) Project. Funding for the project was through the Welsh Governments Local Places for Nature (LPfN) scheme through The Powys Nature Partnership. The Trust is very grateful to the funders for supporting the project.  

Local Wildlife Sites are areas of land with ‘substantive nature conservation value’. As changes in land use have eroded the natural habitats that once covered Powys, LWS are now ‘islands’ in a ‘sea’ of intensively managed urban and rural landscapes. Alongside our statutory protected sites (SACs etc.), they support a wealth of wildlife, both common and rare.

Over the past year, the LWS project visited 41 potential Local Wildlife Sites (pLWS), confirming 12 and providing habitat management advice where needed. 19 detailed site reports have been submitted, with nine already approved.

Surveys took place in a diverse range of habitats, from riverine woodlands with cascading waterfalls and nesting dippers to ancient yew-filled churchyards and a castle mound rich in biodiversity. Each visit helped to build a clearer picture of the region’s ecological health and identify key conservation priorities.

Habitat management advice included invasive species control like Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), protecting waterfowl nests, managing riverbank erosion and pollution, creating habitat piles, woodland creation and hedgerow restoration.

Beyond surveying, Fiona Stone (LWS Project Officer) attended various events to share knowledge and engage with conservation professionals and the public. Some of these events include The RWT Barnes Memorial Lecture on rewilding, The Biodiversity Information Service Recorders Forum and Rhayader By Nature’s Ancient Trees & Lichens Walk.

The project officially concluded with a Social Evening & Awards Ceremony, recognising successful LWS applicants, dedicated landowners, and passionate volunteers. The event featured a photography competition for the best LWS photograph, judged by local otter surveyor Will Lewis. Jerry Kent won first place in the species category, while Penny Nicholson took first in the landscape category.

“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of so many people. A huge thank you to all the landowners, volunteers, surveyors, and experts who contributed their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm. Your efforts are making a real difference in preserving and enhancing our local wildlife. Although the LWS project is coming to an end, the work of protecting these special places continues.”
Fiona Stone (LWS Project Officer)

The Trust is keen to support more sites being designated as LWS and are continuously looking for future funding to continue this work.