The lost rainforest that's being revived in Wales

Thick moss grows on trees in Lydford Gorge, home to one of the UK's ancient temperate rainforests
-Credit: (Image: 2023 Getty Images)


A lost Atlantic rainforest is being brought back to life in Wales. There are plans underway to recreate a temperate rainforest In Pembrokeshire.

Rainforests used to cover much of the west coast of Britain, but today only fragments remain. Plans are now in motion to revive the former rainforest near the Welsh coast.

There are hopes to boost wildlife at the site at Trellwyn Fach. It follows similar work which has started at Bwlch Mawr, the mountain overlooking Bryn Ifan in Gwynedd where another temperate rainforest is being planted. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

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The work is being carried out by the The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) thanks to a long-term partnership with the insurance company, Aviva.

The project at Trellwyn Fach is part The Wildlife Trusts’ Atlantic rainforest recovery programme, which is supported by a £38m donation from Aviva, and forms as part of a wider programme of nature-based projects to remove carbon from the atmosphere and help nature recover.

Communities in Pembrokeshire are closely involved in the project with plans for volunteering, education and employment opportunities, as well as improved access to nature.

Trellwyn Fach is near the Pembrokeshire coast, on a former sheep-grazing site
Trellwyn Fach is near the Pembrokeshire coast, on a former sheep-grazing site -Credit:Sarah Kestell/WSTWW

The Aviva donation supports the programme to restore temperate rainforests in areas where they used to grow along the damper, western climes of the British Isles. Other rainforest restoration projects have been announced in Devon, North Wales and the Isle of Man.

At Bryn Ifan, they are working to establish over 100 acres of rainforest on the bracken-covered coastal slopes of Bwlch Mawr through a mix of sympathetic native planting and natural regeneration. Some areas of Bryn Ifan will be used for nature-friendly farming, and work will start to improve wetlands to help rare species like the marsh fritillary butterfly. Trees like oak, birch, and alder will be planted, and the land will be managed with grazing.

Adding Bryn Ifan to the nearby nature reserve, Caeau Tan-y-Bwlch, makes it more valuable for wildlife.

Sarah Kessell, Chief Executive at WTSWW said, “We’re delighted this rainforest restoration project at Trellwyn Fach can get started. This site is ideally situated in the Gwaun valley, already connected to Celtic rainforest remnants and giving us the opportunity to buffer and extend this amazing habitat as well as improving access for the local community. These are exciting times!”

Leah Ramoutar, Director of Environmental Sustainability, Aviva, said, “We’re proud to see the Wildlife Trust add another site to the rainforest restoration project, helping Wales become more climate ready.

“The site in Trellwyn Fach will connect with existing examples of this precious habitat, re-establishing natural corridors to benefit wildlife and add more natural beauty to this stunning part of Wales. It will also provide flood resilience to nearby homes and businesses as well as green jobs and volunteering opportunities to the local community.”