Caerphilly Launches Nature Recovery Action Plan to Inspire Action for Nature
Residents, community groups, environmental organisations and public sector partners recently came together to celebrate the launch of Caerphilly County Borough’s Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP).
Organised by the Caerphilly Local Nature Partnership, the event marked an important milestone in efforts to protect and restore nature across the county borough.
The event was held at Bedwas Workmen’s Hall & Institute and highlighted the collective commitment to tackling biodiversity loss and creating a greener, more resilient future for both wildlife and people.
The launch featured a diverse programme of activities, including exhibition stalls hosted by local organisations including:
- Caerphilly County Borough Council
- Caerphilly Woodlands Trust
- Ruperra Conservation Trust
- Adder Action
- Southeast Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC)
- Gwent Wildlife Trust
- Keep Wales Tidy Urban Long Forest Project
- Welsh Wildlife Trust
- Ynys Hywel Farm Allotment Group
- Caerphilly Hedgehog Rescue
- Community Volunteers Wales
- Gwent Ornithological Society
Visitors also enjoyed presentations from nature recovery experts, interactive discussions centred around the ten priority species identified within the NRAP, and networking opportunities designed to encourage collaboration and community action.
The plan focuses on the recovery and conservation of ten key species: hedgehog, adder, hazel dormouse, green tiger beetle, waxcap fungi, dipper, swift, native bluebell, curlew, and marsh fritillary.
Attendees were invited to make personal pledges to support nature recovery within their own communities. Examples included:
“I am going to stay alert and record nature whilst out hiking or walking.
“Increase biodiversity when delivering flood mitigation schemes within Caerphilly County Borough Council.
“Get schools and youth groups involved in surveys of their local areas.
“Learn more about the NRAP and share that learning within our community.”
The Nature Recovery Action Plan provides a strategic framework for protecting and enhancing biodiversity across Caerphilly County Borough. Developed through extensive partnership working and community engagement, the plan identifies priority actions to help reverse the decline of local habitats and species while delivering wider environmental, social and wellbeing benefits.
The plan is also due to be presented to Cabinet this September for adoption as a corporate strategy. This will help ensure that biodiversity considerations are embedded across all Caerphilly Council departments and are considered as part of decision-making processes.
Actions within the plan include, but aren’t limited to:
- Improving woodland networks through the active management of existing woodlands and the creation of new woodland and tree planting projects.
- Raising awareness and supporting initiatives that encourage wildlife-friendly gardening and sustainable management of homes and gardens.
- Installing and promoting nesting boxes on homes and buildings.
- Improving public understanding of protected species such as the adder and green tiger beetle.
- Supporting the monitoring and recording of protected species populations.
The Local Nature Partnership is also administering a Biodiversity Grant Scheme, funded through Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature programme. The scheme is currently supporting projects that contribute directly to the delivery of NRAP actions. Applications are presently being shortlisted, although further funding opportunities may become available in the future.
The launch event provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the challenges facing local wildlife, hear about successful conservation initiatives, and explore practical ways that individuals, organisations and communities can contribute to nature recovery.
Cllr Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member for Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces, said:
“The Nature Recovery Action Plan sets out a clear direction for how we can work together to protect and enhance biodiversity across Caerphilly county borough.
“It was fantastic to see so many organisations, community groups and individuals come together at the launch, demonstrating the level of knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment that already exists locally.
“By working collaboratively and taking practical action to support our habitats and priority species, we can help build a more resilient natural environment for both wildlife and our communities for generations to come.”
The event reinforced the vital role local communities play in supporting biodiversity and delivering positive environmental change.
Jayne Garland, Caerphilly Woodlands Trust, said:
“It was lovely to see people stopping, asking questions, sharing their own experiences and discovering that a community woodland can be so much more than trees. It demonstrated that nature is not simply a backdrop to our lives; we are part of it and connected to it.
“The wonderful thing about a day like this is that it doesn’t end when everyone packs away their stands. The conversations continue. The connections continue. And the work continues.”
The Nature Recovery Action Plan is currently being finalised for publication and will soon be available online and in libraries across the county borough. Information on where members of the public can access the document will be shared through the Caerphilly Local Nature Partnership’s social media channels and the Caerphilly County Borough Council website.
The launch forms part of Caerphilly’s ongoing commitment to addressing the nature emergency and supporting the recovery of habitats and species across the county borough for future generations.
Anyone interested in receiving updates on local nature recovery projects, funding opportunities, volunteering activities, events and partnership news is encouraged to join the Caerphilly Local Nature Partnership mailing list.
To be added to the mailing list, please contact: Tanith Stephens, Biodiversity Officer, at Caerphilly County Borough Council – stepht2@caerphilly.gov.uk or 01443866473
