Major Rewilding Project Launched in Elenydd, Ceredigion
A significant rewilding initiative has been launched in Elenydd, also known as the Cambrian Mountains, by the Welsh charity Tir Natur.
The charity has acquired over a thousand acres of land near Tregaron in Ceredigion.
Tir Natur states that the project could serve as a model to demonstrate how rewilding can support rural livelihoods alongside benefiting nature and wildlife.
However, the Farmers' Union of Wales has expressed concerns about the project, raising questions regarding the management and funding of such a large land area.
Tir Natur purchased a 1,195-acre site in Cwm Doethïe, Ceredigion, from a local farmer and has launched a fundraising appeal to establish a leading rewilding project.
According to the charity, this will be the largest rewilding project in Wales, describing it as "a moment of national significance for the future of landscapes, wildlife, and rural communities in Wales."
The charity has already raised over 50% of the £2.2 million total cost, which covers the land purchase, with a charitable bridging loan enabling Tir Natur to complete the acquisition.
Tir Natur is now launching a public appeal to accelerate and expand its rewilding work, alongside existing funding supporting early projects, local jobs, and community engagement.
Environmental Review Highlights Pollution and Decline
The launch comes less than two weeks after Natural Resources Wales (NRW) published its latest review of Wales' environmental condition.
In the report, which is published every five years, NRW warned of "polluted rivers, failing soils," and "declining wildlife."
Natural Resources Wales noted that parts of the country have "the worst air quality in Britain," contributing to up to 1,400 premature deaths annually.
Tir Natur views its rewilding project as a response to environmental decline, hoping to demonstrate what large-scale rewilding can achieve for Wales.
'We Really Want to Do Something Positive'
"The state of the natural world in Wales and globally is utterly serious," said Elen Roberts from Tir Natur.
"We really want to do something positive for Wales and bring a glimmer of hope to future generations," she added.
"We want to create Wales' leading rewilding site, show what is possible, raise ambition, and invite people to come here and fall in love with nature."
The project plans to introduce hardy cattle breeds to the land, which is already a habitat for Welsh mountain ponies, and there is potential to introduce ancient pig breeds in the future.
According to the project, grazing and roaming by these animals will "help restore a mosaic of habitats and create conditions to promote a wealth of species."
Farmers' Concerns
Over the next five to ten years, the project is expected to contribute nationally significant benefits, including increased biodiversity, cleaner water, healthier soils, improved carbon storage, and reduced flood risk on farmland.
Rewilding can be a contentious topic, with concerns—especially among farmers—about losing land used for food production.
Tir Natur states this is not applicable here, as the purchased land was not previously used for food production by the former owner.
However, the Farmers' Union of Wales opposes rewilding plans due to "clear evidence of ecological harm and economic risks posed to rural Welsh communities and species dependent on active management."
'Key Questions Remain'
Ian Rickman, president of the Farmers' Union of Wales, expressed concerns about the "scale and transparency" of the project.
"While we welcome recognition of the role of cattle grazing, key questions remain about how such a large area of land will be managed and funded practically, as well as the implications for food production and the wider rural economy in the long term," he said.
The Farmers' Union added that it wants to work closely with project promoters to ensure local farmers' voices are heard and any community impacts are considered.
In response, Elen Roberts said Tir Natur does not want productive land removed from the food system.
"The farmer who sold us this land has retained the best farmland and continues to farm that land," she said.
"We want to see farmers remain on the land."
