On Saturday the 25^th of March, Radnorshire Wildlife Trusts’ Ambassador Ben Porter will be joining forces with his good friend and insect expert Will Hawkes in an attempt to run 65km across Radnorshire to raise money for the exciting new Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) project: Wilder Pentwyn Farm.

In October 2021 the Trust completed the purchase of a 164- acre farm, Pentwyn, at Llanbister Road, Powys. This is the largest land purchase that RWT has made for over 15 years and was a big decision as the UK’s smallest mainland Trust.

Over £900,000 has already been raised towards this exciting new project, but there is still a way to go to reach the £1.5 million goal to secure the site and its future habitat restoration work. Nature in Wales is under pressure, with countless species in dramatic decline with at least 15% on the verge of extinction. We desperately need to scale up our efforts to reverse this trend; to bring nature back and to restore flourishing ecosystems that are vibrant with life.

Ben Porter, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust’s Ambassador - Ecologist and Photographer: “We're at rock bottom for the state of nature in the UK, and it's time to roll up our sleeves and employ as diverse a selection of ways as we can to see the fragments of habitats restored, connected and incorporated into the wider way we use our landscape.”

Pentwyn provides an exciting opportunity to do just this. This area of upland land, nestled into the Welsh Marches in Radnorshire, is set to provide a beacon of hope for nature’s recovery, whilst incorporating new forms of food growing and a system of extensive grazing, with cattle and perhaps ponies and pigs, to create a mosaic of wildlife-rich habitats where people and nature can thrive.

James Hitchcock, Chief Executive Officer of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust: “Most of all we want to see nature increase on the land, draw people in, give them a sense of well-being, moments of wonder and hope. Hope for all our futures.”

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust wants to restore nature at Pentwyn, but also want it to be a farm. A new model farm for the future, where nature is the lead crop. There will be cover for shelter and nesting. And food – seeds and insects for birds, and grass and flowers providing nectar and pollen and caterpillar larval food. This cover won’t be removed over winter either. RWT originally discussed undertaking regenerative farming, bringing back heritage grains and feed crops, but opted instead for extensive land management, using low numbers of hardy native cattle. With high welfare, low input meat being produced from the stock, as well as vegetables and maybe fruit and nuts produced from the market gardening business, which the Trust hope will provide an opportunity for a new entrant to farming.

Ben Porter, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust’s Ambassador - Ecologist and Photographer: “I'm so excited at the prospect of seeing this site's journey of restoration, and I really hope this fundraiser can help play a part in seeing this come to fruition.”

Ben and Will have already successfully raised over £700 for this exciting project. If £1,750 is raised through LocalGiving then Radnorshire Wildlife Trust will receive £250 of match funding for the Pentwyn project thanks to Crowdfund Wales on LocalGiving. If you would like to support the fundraiser for a ‘Wilder Pentwyn’, you can donate via the LocalGiving page here:

https://localgiving.org/fundraising/runforpentwyn/