Covering some 360 ha, Carmel National Nature Reserve is one of the UK’s finest protected areas, boasting up to 14 different habitats, a wealth of wildlife species and the UK’s only turlough (naturally fluctuating inland lake). Over the years, landscape has been badly affected by quarrying while traditionally managed grasslands have been abandoned, or damaged by intensive agriculture. After many years of campaigning by wildlife organisations, in 1999 the whole area was designated a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive, and part of it a National Nature Reserve (NNR). In 2005 The Grasslands Trust took over responsibility for the management of the western side of the NNR, and now manages 59 hectares of grassland habitat. The Trust’s vision is to make Carmel NNR part of a large linked area of habitats in that area of the county and beyond; a continuous stretch of wildlife-rich countryside which goes on for miles.

An award of £199,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government has enabled the Trust to undertake substantial restoration work, and to improve the infrastructure and management of the site, and they are currently planning the next phase of our work at Carmel; enabling more people to get involved in using, enjoying, and conserving this remarkable place. The Trust’s plans were boosted recently when they won a grant of £45,000 from the National Lottery’s People’s Millions Fund – the project featured on ITV Wales, and secured the highest number of public votes – enabling recruitment and training of volunteers to support a conservation project in the woodland area of Carmel.  

To find out more about the Grassland Trust please visit www.grasslands-trust.org