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Welcome to the Spring 2020 edition of the newsletter to keep you updated on the Twyni Byw – Sands of LIFE project.
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The current COVID-19 pandemic is understandably a source of concern for us all and we hope each one of you are staying safe and healthy during this difficult period.
Our project staff have been working from home since late-March. This has seen us unable to make it out on-site. However, rest assured that we are still pushing forward as best we can.
We are planning the detail of works due to take place from autumn through to end of March 2021. We are also making progress with site interpretation panels, a booklet and leaflets. Should the lockdown loosen, we are exploring ways in which we might be able to provide a virtual guided walk service, whilst we might still be able to arrange some presence at local events which may go ahead towards late summer/early autumn.
We will be sure to keep you updated on the Sands of LIFE project’s plans over the coming months.
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Should COVID-19 restrictions be loosened over the summer, we will be prepared to get started on our planned on-site work.
We have over 2km of fencing work ready to be installed at Pembrey Burrows and over 8km of fencing for Newborough to be done in stages. The fencing will help protect and control the livestock which perform the important task of grazing the dune grassland.
Please do email SoLIFE@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk if you would like further information about our work.
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The amount of work planned for the duration of the project is ambitious. From scrub removal to interpretation panels, event participation to ‘sand moving’.
Yes, ‘sand moving’ is a crucial part of our project. What we mean by sand moving is digging up certain areas of the dunes. This will see us create notches (gaps) in the dunes along the beach, stripping turf from the sides of dunes, and scraping and lowering the level of some slacks – damp hollows between the dunes.
“But why?” we hear you ask! Our sand dunes may look like the perfect habitat, but many parts have become overgrown with tall grass and scrub, smothering rare dune wildlife. ‘Sand moving’ will give a vital boost to our dunes and the wildlife that depends on them.
This will create more bare sand, get more wind blowing through the dunes and help with natural sand movement, and create opportunities for rare pioneer species to colonise – all of which keep our sand dunes healthy.
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We are glad to introduce Toni (seen on the right) and Jake, two of our Sands of LIFE Project Assistants. They have been integral to our work programme since joining us in late 2019, providing valuable assistance to Leigh and Laura, Sands of LIFE Project and Monitoring Officers. This has seen us push forward with our on-site works, whilst both have been key in using their expertise within Arc-GIS to provide us with accurate maps of our planned works.
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On consecutive nights back in early February, we visited the Harlech Community Council followed by the Talybont and Dyffryn Ardudwy Community Council. We were grateful for the warm welcomes, where we had a good chat about planned work at Morfa Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn and the local community’s views about the sand dunes there.
Would your community council or group like for us to come and host a chat about our work? Please do email SoLIFE@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk and we’ll be more than happy to arrange a date.
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SoLIFE: LIFE 17 NAT/UK/000023
The Twyni Byw-Sands of LIFE project has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union. Part funded by Welsh Government. |
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