A new wetland area is taking shape on heights of the Clwydian Range to help support local nature
World Wetlands Day which took place on Sunday (February 2) continues supporting the regeneration of these important areas to help encourage more wildlife to return and prosper.
An additional wetland creation is now under way at the Moel y Plas nature reserve site, near Llanarmon yn Iâl.
The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape team, in conjunction with Denbighshire County Council, are developing an area at the hillside for both the benefit of local nature and communities.
Nearly 18,000 native broadleaved trees have been planted on the site to create diverse species rich habitats, hedgerows have been planted to improve connectivity across the site and also working with farming projects have allowed the beginning of restoration of the upland habitats such as Moorland and Friddoedd with the reintroduction of grazing animals .
Accessibility for visitors coming through the area has also been improved with new fencing, way markers and kissing gates added to make paths accessible and easy to follow.
The newly developed wetland area at Moel y Plas will help provide shelter and food for a number of animals and encourage a wide variety of plants to take root. This type of area will also store carbon which helps alleviate the impact of Climate Change and can act as a natural flood barrier absorbing water during heavy downpours.
A wide range of wildlife may use this type of habitat that is underway at Moel y Plas including Water Voles, Water Shrews, Common Frogs, Mallards, Herons, Egrets and even Kingfishers.
Insects including Pond Skaters and Water Beetles can also be found in this habitat alongside Damselflies. Wetlands can also encourage wildflowers to flourish, such as the Pyramidal Orchid.
Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “The loss of our land habitats are a huge threat to our local biodiversity and it’s important we do all we can to reverse this sad trend. This developed wetland area at Moel y Plas which is a fantastic site for nature and for visitors to enjoy, will really help encourage lots of species to once again thrive amongst the Clwydian hills.”
For the Moel y Plas development , woodland and hedgerow creation has been designed to improve connectivity between existing surrounding habitat as wildlife corridors.
The woodland creation project has received funding out of an £800,000 grant awarded to Denbighshire County Council from the UK Government.
The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape ranger team will continue to manage the site in the long term as part of its role to make sure the environment of the area of outstanding natural beauty is improved and protected and that the land is made more accessible.
