A lost Atlantic rainforest is being brought back to life in Wales. Plans are underway to recreate a temperate rainforest in Pembrokeshire, an initiative to revive the former rainforest near the Welsh coast where only fragments remain today. The project, led by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) in partnership with Aviva, aims to boost wildlife at the site at Trellwyn Fach. Similar work has started at Bwlch Mawr in Gwynedd, another location for planting a temperate rainforest.
Supported by a generous donation of £38 million from Aviva, the rainforest recovery programme is part of a broader effort to remove carbon from the atmosphere and aid in nature’s restoration. The community in Pembrokeshire is actively involved in the project, with plans for volunteering, education, employment opportunities, and enhanced access to nature. The restoration efforts aim to recreate temperate rainforests in their former locations along the damper western regions of the British Isles.
Additional rainforest restoration projects have been announced in areas such as Devon, North Wales, and the Isle of Man. In Bwlch Mawr at Bryn Ifan, work is underway to establish over 100 acres of rainforest through native planting and natural regeneration. Specific areas will be dedicated to nature-friendly farming, wetland improvement for rare species like the marsh fritillary butterfly, and the introduction of tree species such as oak, birch, and alder managed with grazing. The integration of Bryn Ifan with the nearby nature reserve, Caeau Tan-y-Bwlch, will further benefit wildlife.
Sarah Kessell, Chief Executive at WTSWW, expressed excitement about the rainforest restoration project at Trellwyn Fach, highlighting its potential to expand this unique habitat and improve local community access. Leah Ramoutar, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Aviva, commended the efforts in making Wales more resilient to climate change by connecting existing rainforest habitats, enhancing wildlife corridors, and offering ecological benefits to the region.
The collaboration between The Wildlife Trust and Aviva represents a significant step towards environmental restoration and community engagement in preserving Wales’ natural heritage. The project at Trellwyn Fach holds promise for the local ecosystem, providing flood resilience, green job opportunities, and a sustainable future for generations to come.