Designated Landscapes across Wales are supporting farmers and land managers to restore traditional field boundaries as part of a programme, funded by the Sustainable Landscape, Sustainable Places scheme, and led by Eryri National Park Authority.
Traditional boundaries including dry stone walls and hedgerows form an integral part of our landscapes. As well as serving a practical purpose, these boundaries are also important for wildlife and the environment, they can also serve as a fire break helping to prevent wildfires spreading across our landscapes.
One of the designated landscapes running a traditional boundary scheme is Eryri National Park. Rhys Owen, the Head of Conservation, Woodland and Agriculture for Eryri said:
“This is a fantastic scheme that will benefit both land managers and the environment, as well as the wider rural economy through the creation of work for local contractors. The scheme will run for a period of three years, with the first round of support in Eryri being so popular it was oversubscribed!”
The schemes being delivered across the Welsh Landscapes will support hedgerow restoration and the creation of new hedgerows and hedgerow tree planting, as well as the development of and support for the skills needed to maintain them. Traditional boundaries have proven benefits for carbon sequestration and connecting habitats. They can also help alleviate flooding by slowing down water flow and increasing infiltration rates. These kind of field boundaries also provide a source of food for wildlife and shelter in all seasons.
The Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places (SLSP) fund is supporting this programme, administered through the Welsh Government and Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales. SLSP is a programme of capital investment across Wales’s eight Designated Landscapes, enabling them to contribute to key Welsh Government objectives around promoting biodiversity and nature recovery, accelerating decarbonisation, supporting resilient and green communities and delivering sustainable tourism.