The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust has supported the delivery of a wide range of conservation and community projects across the National Park thanks to funding from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
The grant has supported traditional meadow management at St Mary’s churchyard in Tenby, one of the few remaining fragments of unimproved grassland in the area, and at St Florence churchyard, where species such as yarrow and knapweed were able to flower and set seed following a late-summer cut. In Marloes, locally sourced seed was used to create a new meadow on former farmland, linking with newly created ponds, scrapes and trees. At Nevern, a meadow with over 100 plant species was restored through cut-and-collect management, improving conditions for grazing ponies and protecting the site from invasive plants.
Species conservation also benefitted from the funding. Volunteers in Roch used newly purchased yellowhammer rings to monitor one of Pembrokeshire’s last populations of this rapidly declining farmland bird. More than 50 birds have already been ringed, revealing the site’s importance. In the Gwaun Valley, volunteers grew devil’s-bit scabious plants with peat-free compost, expanding habitat for the rare marsh fritillary butterfly and providing nectar for pollinators.
The funding also supported Pathways, a programme that enables people from a wide range of backgrounds to take part in supported volunteering. Over the year, 83 sessions were delivered, contributing 865 volunteer days across 30 sites. Activities included tree planting, hedge laying, scrub clearance, habitat creation, and community archaeology. Training in areas such as first aid, equality and diversity, and mental health awareness was also provided to lead volunteers, ensuring safe, inclusive, and meaningful opportunities.
In addition, the Get Outdoors project received support to deliver wellbeing walking groups for new parents and for people with additional learning needs or disabilities. Over the year, 42 walks took place at locations including Stackpole Quay, Rosebush and Broad Haven, with more than 290 participants benefitting. Specialist equipment such as pushchairs, beach wheelchairs and rollators helped make the walks accessible. One participant stated: “I felt normal for the first time in five years. I was able to walk with my grandson, something I never thought I’d do again.”
Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “Thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, we’ve been able to support projects that protect special habitats and species, while also breaking down barriers so more people can connect with nature. This funding has made a real difference for both wildlife and communities across Pembrokeshire.”
The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1179281. To find out more about the work that the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust supports and how you can get involved, head to www.pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales.