Latest news with #Environment(Wales)Act2016
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Ynysdawela Nature Park declared local nature reserve
Ynysdawela Nature Park, in Upper Brynamman, has been made the seventh local nature reserve in Carmarthenshire. This decision was approved by the council's cabinet on June 16, 2025, based on the park's biodiversity and environmental significance. It now means that Ynysdawela Nature Park is recognised as a Local Nature Reserve under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Ecological surveys and investment from the Welsh Government's Woodland Investment Grant have shown that the 16.5-hectare site is home to a wide variety of wildlife. This includes the protected species Hazel Dormouse and Marsh Fritillary butterfly. The two species are protected under Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. There are also nine species of bats, 64 invertebrate species of conservation importance, and two invertebrate species never before recorded in Wales. Cllr Hazel Evans, cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture, and tourism, said: "Ynysdawela is a valuable example of how we can protect and celebrate our natural heritage while providing meaningful spaces for people to connect with nature. "Declaring it as a Local Nature Reserve will strengthen our commitment to biodiversity, climate action and community wellbeing across Carmarthenshire." The nature park, which is part of the National Forest for Wales, is a mix of ancient semi-natural woodland, coal spoil regeneration, and former farmland. It is used by schools and the local community in the Amman Valley for educational, recreational, and conservation purposes. The declaration aligns with Carmarthenshire's Tree and Woodland Strategy (2025), which promotes responsible access while protecting ecosystems. The other local nature reserves in Carmarthenshire are Pembrey Burrows and Saltings, Ashpits Pond and Pwll Lagoon, North Dock Dunes, Carreg Cennen, Glan-yr-Afon, Kidwelly, and Morfa Berwig, Bynea. More information about Carmarthenshire's green spaces and gardens can be found on the Discover Carmarthenshire website.
Western Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Senedd members demand action on nature loss in Wales
Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd's climate change committee, criticised the pace of change with biodiversity targets 'unlikely to be in place much before 2029'. Leading a debate on May 7, the Plaid Cymru politician said it is difficult to reconcile the time frame with Welsh Government claims that addressing nature loss is a priority. The committee's inquiry heard Wales is 'nowhere near' the key international '30 by 30' target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Mr Gruffydd said: 'Work to scope out the targets started over two years ago. It seems inconceivable that it will take another four years.' The Senedd's climate change committee called for a more ambitious timeframe in its report , a recommendation that was rejected by Welsh ministers. 'The Welsh Government said this would be simply impossible to do,' said Mr Gruffydd, pointing to similar UK and Scottish Government proposals taking around a year. He warned the 2023 'State of Nature' report showed Wales' biodiversity, and wider environment, continuing to decline and degrade. 'That report details the devastating scale of nature loss across the country,' he said. 'Welsh wildlife has decreased on average by 20 per cent since 1994 and one in six Welsh species are under threat of extinction.' Mr Gruffydd acknowledged the Welsh Government was quick to sign up to global biodiversity targets and declare nature loss as a priority. 'But, to use an old adage, actions speak louder than words,' he said. Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 having 'little material impact' on reversing the decline in biodiversity – a finding echoed by an Audit Wales report . Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warned: 'I'm concerned that our society and the world has become used to the destruction. That's the frightening reality.'
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Senedd members demand action on nature loss in Wales
Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd's climate change committee, criticised the pace of change with biodiversity targets 'unlikely to be in place much before 2029'. Leading a debate on May 7, the Plaid Cymru politician said it is difficult to reconcile the time frame with Welsh Government claims that addressing nature loss is a priority. The committee's inquiry heard Wales is 'nowhere near' the key international '30 by 30' target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Mr Gruffydd said: 'Work to scope out the targets started over two years ago. It seems inconceivable that it will take another four years.' The Senedd's climate change committee called for a more ambitious timeframe in its report, a recommendation that was rejected by Welsh ministers. 'The Welsh Government said this would be simply impossible to do,' said Mr Gruffydd, pointing to similar UK and Scottish Government proposals taking around a year. He warned the 2023 'State of Nature' report showed Wales' biodiversity, and wider environment, continuing to decline and degrade. 'That report details the devastating scale of nature loss across the country,' he said. 'Welsh wildlife has decreased on average by 20 per cent since 1994 and one in six Welsh species are under threat of extinction.' Mr Gruffydd acknowledged the Welsh Government was quick to sign up to global biodiversity targets and declare nature loss as a priority. 'But, to use an old adage, actions speak louder than words,' he said. Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 having 'little material impact' on reversing the decline in biodiversity – a finding echoed by an Audit Wales report. Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warned: 'I'm concerned that our society and the world has become used to the destruction. That's the frightening reality.' The Welsh Government rejected six of the committee's 30 recommendations in its formal response to the report, with the remainder accepted in full or in principle.
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd members demand action on nature loss in Wales
Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd's climate change committee, criticised the pace of change with biodiversity targets 'unlikely to be in place much before 2029'. Leading a debate on May 7, the Plaid Cymru politician said it is difficult to reconcile the time frame with Welsh Government claims that addressing nature loss is a priority. The committee's inquiry heard Wales is 'nowhere near' the key international '30 by 30' target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Mr Gruffydd said: 'Work to scope out the targets started over two years ago. It seems inconceivable that it will take another four years.' The Senedd's climate change committee called for a more ambitious timeframe in its report , a recommendation that was rejected by Welsh ministers. 'The Welsh Government said this would be simply impossible to do,' said Mr Gruffydd, pointing to similar UK and Scottish Government proposals taking around a year. He warned the 2023 'State of Nature' report showed Wales' biodiversity, and wider environment, continuing to decline and degrade. 'That report details the devastating scale of nature loss across the country,' he said. 'Welsh wildlife has decreased on average by 20 per cent since 1994 and one in six Welsh species are under threat of extinction.' Mr Gruffydd acknowledged the Welsh Government was quick to sign up to global biodiversity targets and declare nature loss as a priority. 'But, to use an old adage, actions speak louder than words,' he said. Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 having 'little material impact' on reversing the decline in biodiversity – a finding echoed by an Audit Wales report . Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warned: 'I'm concerned that our society and the world has become used to the destruction. That's the frightening reality.'
