Major Funding Injection for Mid Wales Butterfly Habitat Restoration
A significant conservation initiative is set to breathe new life into a renowned butterfly hotspot in mid Wales, thanks to substantial government funding secured for an innovative collaborative project. The Grazing on the Rocks project has been awarded £249,500 from the Nature Networks Programme, administered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government, to restore the rare wildlife-rich grasslands at Llanymynech Rocks to their former ecological glory.
Collaborative Partnership for Ecological Renewal
The ambitious restoration effort brings together a diverse partnership including Llanymynech Golf Club, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust (MWT), conservation grazing enterprise Pori Bach led by Helen Upson, and local butterfly expert Dr Simon Spencer. This unique collaboration will focus on practical conservation works and community engagement across both the golf club's land in Wales and the adjacent MWT nature reserve over a two-year period.
Llanymynech Rocks: A Biodiversity Treasure
Located between Llanymynech and Pant in Powys, Llanymynech Rocks represents one of the few limestone outcrops along Wales' eastern border and straddles the boundary between Wales and England. The site is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its exceptional importance for wildlife, serving as a crucial refuge for rare plants and animals associated with its unique geology and soils.
While best known for its diverse butterfly populations, the area also supports a wealth of other remarkable wildlife including rare orchids, various bee species, bats, and lizards. The site also boasts significant historical value, containing the Scheduled Monument of Llanymynech Hillcamp, which represents the largest hillfort in Wales.
Restoration Strategy and Community Engagement
The Grazing on the Rocks project will implement a comprehensive restoration strategy that includes wildlife surveys to document current species populations, scrub clearance to rejuvenate special grasslands, and the installation of fencing to facilitate the return of grazing animals. The initiative will also feature nature walks, educational talks, and new interpretation signage to raise awareness within the local community about the site's ecological importance.
A particularly innovative aspect of the project involves exploring the potential for a mobile livestock herd dedicated to conservation grazing. This approach addresses the challenge faced by owners of smaller land parcels who struggle to maintain traditional grasslands—habitats that have experienced dramatic declines over the past 75 years.
Specialized Grazing for Habitat Enhancement
The project will utilize Pori Bach's herd of Ancient Cattle of Wales, a breed recently added to the Rare Breed Survival Trust's Priority list, which thrives in these specific habitats and can significantly boost biodiversity through coordinated local grazing plans. Additionally, the initiative plans to introduce goats to the Pori Bach team, as these smaller, more nimble livestock are better suited to certain habitat types and historic sites.
Broader Ecological Significance
Clive Faulkner, CEO of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, emphasized the site's importance: "Llanymynech Rocks is such a special site, important not just for the wildlife it is home to, but also for surrounding sites, and for the people who live nearby. Welsh Government rightly focuses on bigger, better and more joined up habitats, which is what Grazing on the Rocks is all about."
Sean Borrett, course manager at Llanymynech Golf Club, expressed enthusiasm for the project: "We're really excited about this project. Sensitive grazing is the most effective way of managing our SSSI grasslands. By joining together with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and searching for more sites for conservation grazing, it will make grassland maintenance more sustainable for everyone involved."
The Nature Networks Programme aims to address the nature emergency by strengthening the resilience of protected sites and enhancing ecological connectivity to create a more sustainable, nature-positive environment. Llanymynech Rocks serves as a vital habitat link between North and Mid Wales, Powys and Shropshire, meaning that restoring its rare grasslands will also enhance populations of threatened and endangered species throughout the surrounding region.
