WILDLIFE trust staff and members from Powys’ three organisations met recently to launch a new project aimed at taking action to address climate change.

The Green Connections Powys project is a collaboration between the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) and Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust (MWT), as well as the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales who work in Breconshire.

The event, held at King George V playing fields in Talgarth, involved displays, activities and a guided walk and was well attended by councillors, community groups and landowners who want to encourage more wildlife into green spaces.

The initiative is helping community groups, small businesses, landowners and councils take action to address climate change and biodiversity loss and create a nature recovery network across the county. The project has received funding through the Welsh Government’s ‘Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020’, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Bug expert Phil Ward led a pollinator walk around sites managed by On the Verge Talgarth

community group. Staff from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales provided a popular

demonstration of scything to cut a wildflower meadow. They also explained the use of green hay

and seeds collected from donor wildflower meadows to spread seed into new grassy areas.

Montgomery staff kept the children entertained making bird feeder discs.

Darylle Hardy, project manager at Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, said: “It was inspiring to see and hear

how the local community has been creating mini meadows on road verges and managing green

spaces around Talgarth to help wildlife.

“Over the next year staff will be on hand across Powys to offer advice and support to other community groups or landowners that want to help nature’s recovery.”

Talgarth county councillor William Powell added: “It was a great privilege to be present at the launch of Green Connections Powys, especially as it was hosted at our own King George V Playing fields in Talgarth.

“It is really positive to see all three wildlife trusts within Powys collaborating in this way, for the betterment of our natural environment, at this time of climate emergency.

“As a longstanding trust supporter, I was also pleased to see the level of collaboration with local groups, such as On the Verge, Talgarth Community Woodland Group, Tools for SelfReliance and Talgarth Town Football Club, for providing an excellent venue.

“It was a very rich and worthwhile event and a credit to all staff and volunteers involved.”