Background to the Cambrian Wildwood Project
This project to rewild a part of the Cambrian Mountains is being run by the charity Wales Wild Land Foundation. The project will restore the native forest and bring back some of the lost animals. The initial focus is on 750 acres of degraded upland valley and moorland. In time, the aim is to extend the Wildwood to 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) by further land purchase and by encouraging other landowners to participate.
Habitat restoration will focus on establishing native woodland in this deforested landscape, and restoring other important habitats.
This habitat restoration work will create the right conditions for bringing back some of the lost animal species. This will be achieved by natural colonisation, for example by bird species, or by reintroduction programmes following research into feasibility. These could include water vole, red squirrel, mountain hare, wild boar, beaver, pine marten and wild cat for example. The initiative will follow rewilding principles, so that large herbivores brought in to graze the land will be wild or feral substitutes for wild animals, instead of domestic livestock. We envisage introducing Exmoor ponies as a substitute for Tarpan and will research the suitability of a feral breed of cattle such as Heck as a substitute for Aurochs. We expect Roe deer to migrate into the area in the long term, and will study the case for Red deer.
Why we need the money
We are currently raising money for costs associated with the land purchase, such as valuation fees, through this Crowdfunder site.
We aim to launch our main fund-raising campaign for the land purchase at Easter.
We are already inviting people to become a part of the project as Wildwood Founders.
For more information about the Cambrian Wildwood and our aims as a charity you can visit our website in Welsh or English at:
coetiraniancambria.org or cambrianwildwood.org
Our Facebook page is at: facebook.com/cambrianwildwood
Our Twitter handle is: @coetiranian