A Diary Of Winter Work

By Senior Youth Engagement Officer Beccy Williams

The February half term was a busy time for young people from the Stand for Nature Wales project.

On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, a group of Wildlife Warriors and Nature Nurturers worked on the construction of a Wildlife Garden at the LINC complex for older people at Llys Glyncoed in Ebbw Vale. They worked hard on preparing the ground and constructing a path out of recycled plastic boards. The young people and the residents enjoyed it and all are looking forward to completing the project as soon as possible.

On Tuesday of the same week, Kieran (from the Warriors group), Petra and I went to the allotments in Pillgwenlly in Newport. We met some people from Newport Youth Academy to discuss future plans for the area. A patch in the garden that had been wildflowers last summer was cleared back ready for it to flower again this summer, leaves were cleared up and a litter pick was undertaken. Then in the afternoon, Petra, Kieran and I went to St. Paul’s and St Stephen’s Church in Pillgwenlly, where we cleaned out the pond, removed dead leaves and planted bulbs in the garden area.

On the Wednesday of half term, the two groups met in Wentwood with Dai Lucas who lead an animal tracking session. The group quickly became very skilled at tracking, spotting numerous deer tracks plus anthills, bird pellets and other natural signs with help from our own Wild Health Officer, Rose.

On Thursday, I travelled with Molly, one of the Nurturers, to the outdoor pursuits centre – Urdd at Llangrannog. We met Petra, other staff and youth group members from all over Wales to do a recce for this year’s youth summit in August. Molly tested the accommodation and the food...it passed! Other groups went to assess the area around the beach and across the cliffs, it is looking to be a perfect venue for the summit.

We have also recently had a talk from a former member of the group, Michael Rodgers, on Reptiles and Amphibians of Gwent. And our youth group has also been making bat boxes.

In addition, the S4NW staff team has been visiting schools and improving habitats with the pupils. Activities included installing bird nest boxes ready for the season ahead, as well as making seed bombs and taking part in the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch.

If you are or know a young person aged 9-24 years who is interested in making a stand for nature in Gwent, contact me, Beccy on rwilliams@gwentwildlife.org

Wild & Healthy

By Ian Thomas, Senior Wild Health Officer

It’s been another very busy and successful year for Wild Health! Throughout 2022, we reached out and delivered sessions to numerous organisations and hundreds of individuals right across Gwent, inspiring a curiosity in nature and wildlife and promoting pro environmental behaviour.

Participants tell us they’ve been reaping the benefits physically and emotionally, have a greater community connection, and have a great deal of confidence and desire to access the outdoors independently of the project! The following montage will give you a flavour of what’s been going on.