Specialists have raised alarms that several of Wales’ most vulnerable species are facing potential extinction in Nant Ffrancon, a valley within Eryri National Park. The National Trust described the situation as a “nature emergency,” citing serious ecological decline that threatens animals such as the mountain blackbird and the mountain finch.
A newly launched £1 million initiative aims to restore and safeguard over 4,000 acres of habitat across the region. The project, led by the National Trust, involves collaboration with local communities, tenant farmers, and volunteers to reverse the deterioration of these unique landscapes.
Simon Rogers from the National Trust emphasized the severity of the crisis. “We’re in a very serious situation,” he said. “There are so many species in this valley which are on the brink of extinction.”
One focal point of the conservation effort is the ring ouzel, a red-listed bird that has suffered dramatic population declines both locally and nationwide. The valley remains one of its last strongholds. “We’ll be looking at that little bird, understanding how they use the landscape here and doing our best to manage the land to ensure their survival for the future,” Rogers explained.
The threat extends to flora as well. The Tufted Saxifrage, an arctic alpine flower found in Cwm Idwal, is under severe pressure due to this year’s drought. At the start of the year, only seven individuals were recorded in the entire valley. By the end of the summer, just three survived, representing the entire remaining population in Wales. Without intervention, Rogers warned, the species faces a very real risk of extinction.
Supporting this effort is the Tlysau Mynydd Eryri project, a partnership led by Plantlife Cymru to protect rare alpine plants. The broader conservation strategy includes ecological surveys and continuous monitoring to assess the health of the valley, tracking species such as otters, woodcocks, aspen, and juniper.
Innovative technology will play a key role in the restoration. GPS livestock collars will allow farmers to manage grazing with precision, ensuring cattle are moved to specific areas at optimal densities and times. Rhys Wheldon-Roberts, the Cwm Idwal Partnership Officer, noted that the data from these collars is visible in real-time on mobile apps, making conservation grazing more effective for both wildlife and livestock.
The initiative, funded by nearly £1 million from the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, also prioritizes public engagement. Educational visits for schools and volunteering opportunities will allow the community to learn about and participate in the preservation of the landscape.
Rogers highlighted the long-term vision of the scheme: “What we’re trying to do with this project is set a foundation for the future. Some things will change in the next three years, but what we’re doing is setting ourselves up so that recovery can continue for decades afterwards.”
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