A lost Atlantic rainforest is being brought back to life in Wales. Plans are in place to recreate a temperate rainforest in Pembrokeshire, as rainforests once covered much of the west coast of Britain, with only fragments remaining today. The aim is to revive the former rainforest near the Welsh coast and enhance wildlife at the site at Trellwyn Fach. Similar work has begun at Bwlch Mawr in Gwynedd where another temperate rainforest is being planted.
The restoration project is led by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) in partnership with the insurance company, Aviva. This initiative is part of The Wildlife Trusts’ Atlantic rainforest recovery programme, backed by a generous £38m donation from Aviva. The broader nature-based projects aim to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and aid in nature’s rehabilitation.
Communities in Pembrokeshire are actively engaged in the project, which offers volunteering, educational, and job opportunities, along with improved access to nature. Trellwyn Fach, situated near the Pembrokeshire coast on a former sheep-grazing site, is a part of the rainforest restoration efforts supported by Aviva. Other projects in Devon, North Wales, and the Isle of Man are also contributing to rainforest restoration efforts.
At Bryn Ifan, over 100 acres of rainforest are being established through a combination of native planting and natural regeneration, with aims to introduce habitat-friendly farming practices. The project will help improve wetlands for rare species like the marsh fritillary butterfly. The area will see the planting of oak, birch, and alder trees, with land management including grazing, making Bryn Ifan a valuable wildlife habitat connected to the nearby nature reserve, Caeau Tan-y-Bwlch.
Sarah Kessell, Chief Executive at WTSWW, expressed delight that the rainforest restoration project at Trellwyn Fach is commencing, emphasizing the site’s connection to existing Celtic rainforest remnants. Leah Ramoutar, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Aviva, highlighted the project’s significance in climate readiness and habitat enhancement. Trellwyn Fach’s restoration will also provide flood resilience, green job opportunities, and natural beauty for the local community.
The rainforest restoration initiatives are vital steps towards environmental conservation and biodiversity enhancement in Wales.