Site visits have become a small chunk of what I’ve been up to. Like today, after a morning with the woodlands team at Pant Skirrid woods, seeing how they have been taking this conifer plantation back to its ancient roots. I sit here now under this old Hornbeam tree writing this blog, wondering what changes it has seen over the last 250 years. A moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved as a team this year and what is yet to come.
Putting nature first
A highlight for our property portfolio was the new tenancy at Ffynnonau Farm near Abergavenny. A lowland small holding on the Clytha Estate, the team had a busy summer of planned work giving the farm a new lease of life. This new tenancy is an opportunity to demonstrate how nature conservation, land management and agriculture can work in partnership to have nature as it’s priority rather than production.
In the rugged wilderness of Mid Wales, we are tackling climate change at Abergwesyn. We have been developing the peatland restoration plan, with the view to undertake practical works in 2020. This is a five-year project, with the aim of preserving and protecting peatland, improving wildlife habitat biodiversity and helping to manage upland water flow in this ancient landscape.
Something for everyone
From engaging with visitors, I’ve learnt that our outdoor places mean different things to different people. Whether it be a quiet moment to cherish with family or friends, a new `50 things before you’re 11 & 3/4‘ adventure with little ones, or reaching the soaring heights of Pen y Fan and grabbing that wanderlust picture at the summit. At our places there really is something for everyone.