Green Connections Powys

We are Supporting Powys County Council (PCC), Town Councils and Community Councils to take action for climate change and the ecological emergency.

Building on previous work, Green Connections will support Powys County Council and local councils in better management of road verges and green spaces to benefit wildlife and add to the ecological network. 

The project will also support PCC in planning green infrastructure and embedding Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) into the planning system by identifying, designating and mapping the best places for wildlife in Powys.

We are providing advice and encouraging landowners to improve the management of habitats and strengthen ecological networks.

Many landowners are keen to improve their land for wildlife but are unsure where to start.  Advice on habitat management and species monitoring will be available for landowners and communities to help them undertake work to benefit wildlife. 

We also aim to connect landowners with volunteers to survey and monitor wildlife on their land. This information will contribute to a Wales-wide understanding of biodiversity distribution and enable our team to provide management advice, look for nature-based solutions to issues, develop ecological connectivity and help people seek funding streams to enable work to take place.

We will be undertaking specific habitat management work for rare or uncommon species on target sites in the wider countryside.

The project will undertake specific habitat management work on a few targeted sites where it can make a significant difference to the site’s value for wildlife. This may be through scrub clearance, hay meadow enhancement or the reintroduction or reinforcement of uncommon species into certain habitats which will be well looked after and have a good chance of spreading naturally.

We are helping community groups improve their natural environment and take action for climate change and the ecological crisis.

An important part of the project will be supporting community groups to safely and effectively take action though the management of community green spaces, buildings and gardens. We will help groups of all ages develop ideas and undertake work that will benefit wildlife as well as people’s health and well-being.  We will be offering advice and training as well as habitat identification and recording.

We will also be looking into ways to develop community enterprises growing native species and trees, either to improve their green spaces and gardens or sell to raise funds for more work.

We will be providing opportunities for people to learn about wildlife and take part in training and volunteering activities.

Staff and local experts will lead training about wildlife for volunteers, communities and landowners. In addition, there will be opportunities for an intermediate level of training through external organisations or trainers, not always available to volunteers.  Examples might be habitat mapping and monitoring change for landowners, first aid courses for volunteers and tree safety training for community woodland owners.

If there is training that your community group requires or would enjoy, please get in touch!

Supporting rural businesses in making changes in their land management to implement nature-based solutions and support biodiversity.

We wish to encourage rural tourism businesses and industrial estates to improve the management of their green spaces around buildings and car parks to benefit wildlife.  Advice on nature-based solutions, for example rain gardens and pollinator friendly planting, can be provided.

The project will be establishing a 'Managed for Wildlife' badge for businesses, landowners and communities who are managing their green space to benefit the environment and wildlife.