Protecting water quality and connecting habitats in Conwy
Farms along the Afon Eidda in Conwy are set to benefit from better water quality and improved habitats, thanks to the Uwch Conwy project.
The project, a partnership between Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and National Trust Cymru, has been working closely with tenants who farm along the banks of Afon Eidda, a tributary of Afon Conwy.
Funding from the Nature and Climate Emergency (NaCE) fund has enabled the partnership to work with five National Trust tenants to create a 3km riverside corridor and install alternative livestock watering systems.
The riverbank has been fenced to keep livestock out of the water, preventing pollution. When animals drink directly from the river, they disturb the riverbed and add excess nutrients through their dung, which can harm water quality. Within the fenced corridor, bushes and trees will grow, protecting the bank from erosion and overland runoff that could otherwise pollute the river.
Creating tree-lined river corridors also helps connect fragmented woodland areas. In addition, some fenced areas have been planted with broadleaved trees by children from the local school in Ysbyty Ifan.
As part of the project, NRW has also enclosed and protected Eidda Pastures Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Tŷ Uchaf Eidda – a rare, flower-rich meadow that has been carefully managed over many years by the tenant farmer and his father before him to allow wildlife to flourish.
This is the only location in Eryri where melancholy thistle grows, alongside other rare species including globe flower and wood bitter vetch, and a range of orchids that help attract pollinators.
Fencing out the river at Tŷ Uchaf Eidda means ponies graze to control rushes and tough grasses, allowing these rare flowers to thrive.
Conversations are now underway with landowners and tenants downstream to extend the river corridor habitat to the confluence of Afon Conwy.
Sarah Aubrey, Senior Environment Officer Conwy, said:
“This work is a great example of how collaboration can deliver real benefits for nature and farming. By improving water quality and creating connected habitats, we’re helping wildlife thrive while supporting sustainable land management. It’s a win-win for the environment and the local community.”
Dewi Davies, Uwch Conwy Project Manager with National Trust Cymru, said:
“Partnership working has been at the heart of this project, enabling National Trust Cymru, Natural Resources Wales and tenant farmers to protect water quality whilst creating healthier, more connected habitats across the Conwy catchment.”
River restoration in this catchment is further supported by Ffermio Bro, which through the Sustainable Farming Scheme pilot, is working with farmers. The collaborative scheme supports farmers to undertake environmentally friendly practices on their farms, including work to protect watercourses by fencing streams and rivers and implementing Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures alongside other works such as supporting upland grazing with cattle, woodland and traditional boundary maintenance and encouraging regenerative farming measures.
The project is part of the Welsh Government funded Water Capital Programme, which supports a number of environmental priorities including river restoration, metal mine remediation, fisheries, and water quality.