Focusing on priority areas throughout the country, and working in partnership with a range of organisations and communities, the RSPB aims to make UK landscapes more wildlife-friendly through the development of ‘Futurescapes’, landscape-scale conservation projects.
In September 2012, RSPB Cymru entered an agreement with Kidwelly Town Council that will help the work of their Three Rivers Futurescape project in Carmarthenshire. It is hoped that Kidwelly will become a gateway to the Three Rivers Futurescape and that the conservation work undertaken there will act as a showcase for how other local communities and towns can be involved, and benefit from, this type of landscape-scale conservation project.
The agreement will enable plans to develop the historic quay and canal, and adjacent floodplain grazing marsh, for wildlife and people. The RSPB is working closely with Environment Agency Wales, non-government organisations, the Countryside Council for Wales, the council and local businesses, to manage vital habitats for wildlife and encourage communities to connect with the wildlife on their doorstep.
RSPB Cymru is planning a number of wildlife projects as part of the work in and around Kidwelly. These include the construction of an otter holt and managing and improving habitats for waders like golden plovers and lapwings. The RSPB will work with partners to introduce innovative education and visitor services, by offering field teaching and outreach to local schools, colleges and youth groups about the natural environment of the area.
Leading up to 2015, Kidwelly’s 900-year anniversary, they will run a number of events to engage with local people and visitors about the area’s wildlife and the conservation work taking place.
There are currently 38 Futurescapes throughout the UK and the Three Rivers is just one of three projects in Wales. The Three Rivers project, which is based around the Tywi, Taf and Gwendraeth rivers, includes habitats varying from woodlands to wetlands, saltmarsh, sand dunes and coastal mudflats.
These support all kinds of wildlife, including marsh fritillary butterflies, otters, curlews and redshanks.
Information from the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership’s November/December 2012 eNewsletter.
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