Wales' major landowners are uniting for the first time to
tackle the climate and nature emergencies, with the new group set
up to drive tree planting and meet targets to protect 30% of land
for nature by 2030.
Nature Estate Cymru, convened by the Deputy First Minister,
brings together organisations responsible for significant areas
of Welsh land — including Natural Resources Wales, the three
national park authorities, the National Trust, RSPB,
Dŵr Cymru, and others — to collaborate on delivering real
environmental change at scale.
The new group will initially focus on tree planting targets and
progress towards protecting 30% of Wales' land,
fresh water and sea for nature by 2030. It will
also tackle water quality, invasive species, wildfire risk, and
public access to nature.
Members will trial and test innovative approaches to land
management, sharing evidence and best practice to overcome
barriers that individual organisations cannot address
alone.
The creation of Nature Estate Cymru comes following the passage
of the landmark Environmental (Principles, Governance and
Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, which will set legally
binding targets for nature recovery. The Group will help Wales
achieve the aims of the new law.
Chaired by Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate
Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, the group held
its first meeting at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on 12
March. He said: "For the first time, we're bringing together
major landowners in Wales to drive action to protect nature and
tackle the climate emergency. Together, our task if clear – we
must plant more trees and protect more land for nature. After the
recent passage of our new environment law, creating Nature Estate
Cymru is part of a new chapter of action and ambition.”
Another landmark moment in delivering
the 30by30 target is the announcement of the
first Naturfa site in Wales.
The Deputy First Minister also visited one of the
four first Naturfa sites in
Wales - at Cwm Colhuw, near Llantwit
Major. Together with protected
sites, Naturfa sites will form a resilient ecological network
across Wales, benefitting nature for everyone and contributing to
30by30.
In the first pilot phase of the programme, twelve sites were
assessed for Naturfa status, four have been recommended for
Full Naturfa Status and will become the first
recognised Naturfa sites in Wales. Alongside Cwm Colhuw, these
are Bryn Tip, Neath Port Talbot, Mandinam, Carmarthenshire,
and The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve, Broad Haven,
Pembrokeshire. Gilfach, Carmarthenshire and The Grange Project,
Monmouthshire have been recommended for progression along
the Naturfa Pathway.
The Deputy First Minister concluded: “It's been excellent to see
the work taking place at one of Wales' first Naturfa sites.
“These special places are a testament to the care and dedication
given by people working on the ground – securing a legacy for the
next generation.
“Nature can only thrive where habitats are resilient
protected and effectively managed- and today's visit was a
powerful reminder of what's possible when we commit to that.”
