Rhydyglyn Nature Reserve, near Llansawel, Carmarthenshire was donated to the Trust in 2020. This 8.5 hectare reserve includes 'agriculturally improved' pasture, bordered and crossed by hedgerows, a large area of marshy grassland with occasional drier areas, wet flushes and running water, all fringed by an area of wet woodland.

The marshy grassland was dominated by Bramble and Rosebay willowherb, but some small open areas remained rich in plant life with species like Red fescue, Whorled caraway, Devils bit scabious present. The semi-improved grassland had been closely cropped by sheep over the previous decades. The sward was dominated by agricultural grasses but a walk-over survey showed there was a relatively diverse mix of herb species, waxcaps and other grassland fungi present, suggesting nutrient levels weren't too high. Our observations hinted that if we intervened quickly with appropriate management actions we could reverse habitat loss and bring about restoration of these valuable species rich habitats.

After conversations with Carmarthenshire Local Nature Partnership we were invited to apply to the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature biodiversity grant scheme. In 2022, the funding meant we were able to commission expert advice on grazing management and undertake mowing on the marshy grassland to temporarily slow its decline while we designed sustainable long term plans.

The most sustainable management solution for the reserve was identified as cattle grazing. The introduction of cattle to a site has massive benefits for biodiversity, both flora and fauna. It also requires investment in good infrastructure – good access, fences, loading facilities and water. With a hope to get grazing animals on site in spring 2024 further funding was awarded from Local Places for Nature. This has enabled the installation of approximately 1.5km of fencing, a loading pen, access improvements, creation of a pond and installation of pasture pumps for watering livestock.

A local cattle keeper was found and on the first bank holiday in May her Dexter cattle were brought onto site to begin their good work restoring these degraded habitats.

This project has been funded through Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature biodiversity grant scheme.