Drastic measures for Europe’s biggest wetland restoration project

Bringing new LIFE to a wetland on Anglesey

Photo Courtesy of ©CCW

Diggers and dumpers have moved on to Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve on Anglesey. An area the size of nine football pitches now looks more like a building site than a nature reserve……but it’s all in a good cause. It’s all part of Europe’s largest fenland restoration project.

Fens are a special and rare kind of wetland. They depend on peaty soils and a delicate water balance created by limestone springs that flow into the peat. In good condition, fens lock in massive amounts of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere contributing to climate change. They help purify our drinking water and are a haven for rare wildlife.

Over the years, an area of Cors Erddreiniog, known as Cae Gwyn (white field because of the layers of marl found in the peat), has been covered with topsoil and the peat has been dried out. Now, the diggers are clearing this away, to bring the deeper, good quality peat and marl to the fore once again. It is, of course, unusual to say the least for a conservation project to be cutting and removing peat – but it is the only solution in this case.

Thousands of litres of lime rich water from one of the biggest natural limestone springs in Europe will then, once again, revitalize the fen, bringing it back into peak condition.

Local contractors have been employed by the project to drive the diggers and dumpers – so the project is also helping the local economy as well.

Justin Hanson, LIFE Project Manager for the Countryside Council for Wales said: “Once the heavy machines have done their work, a rich diversity of fen plants will return to Cae Gwyn’s marl and peat habitat, including the internationally rare black bog rush and the orchids and dragonflies that love these conditions.

Importantly, the spring water that will flow through this new habitat will end up at Cefni reservoir, in a much purer condition, at a slower rate, and requiring less treatment. Good news for everyone.”

In a couple of years, when the fen plants have returned to Cae Gwyn, local farmers will be able to bring in grazing stock suited to graze the fen - traditional, native animals like Welsh Blacks, Herefords or Welsh mountain ponies.

This project is of international significance. By 2013, the end of the £3.5 million LIFE funded project, the wetlands of Pen Llyn and Anglesey will be fantastic places for people to visit to enjoy their special, tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by nature at its best. And they will also be right back where they belong, in the centre of the local community and economy.

Ends.

For more information contact Helen Evans, Senior Press Officer, on 01248 387377 or 07717225589 or CCW Regional PR Officer Brân Devey on 02920 77 2403 / 07747767443 or bran.devey@ccw.gov.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Filming opportunity – The heavy machines working on the fen means that the ground wobbles like jelly!

The Countryside Council for Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk

The wetlands restoration project for Anglesey and Llyn reflects the purpose of the Welsh Government’s Natural Environment Framework, A Living Wales. For more information and to see how the programme is progressing and how you can get involved visit www.wales.gov.uk/livingwales