The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust has received a final instalment from the Bannister Trust, concluding a generous £30,000 donation over three years that has supported critical woodland conservation.

Director Katie Macro said: “We are deeply thankful to the Bannister Trust for their unwavering support. Their generosity has enabled us to undertake vital conservation projects that focus on natural regeneration and new plantings. Each initiative has been designed to meet the specific needs of diverse species, playing a crucial role in protecting and restoring the ecosystem as a whole.”

Achievements of 2024 include planting over 2,000 native trees near Goodwick and establishing a 270-metre streamside corridor near Lamphey. Tools were also provided to staff and volunteers at Carew Castle to maintain recently planted trees and restored hedgerows, ensuring dark flyways for its internationally important bat population.

Rhosfach, a crucial habitat for the marsh fritillary butterfly and willow tit, saw the installation of fencing to protect willow woodlands, while allowing traditional Dexter cattle to graze the marshy grasslands. In Mynachlogddu, traditional cattle grazing was reintroduced, with fencing protecting natural tree regeneration and a shelterbelt that benefits wildlife and connects riverine woodlands for otters.

Other accomplishments this year include planting 100 trees at Strumble Head and the restoration of 90 metres of hedgerow.

Plans for 2025 focus on enhancing habitat connectivity. New hedges and in-field trees will be planted around the Preseli Hills, with the aim of connecting two breeding populations of barbastelle bat, the only ones known in Wales. At Freshwater East and Cresselly, hedgerow expansions will improve habitats for the rare brown hairstreak butterfly, while wider hedgerows at Roch will provide additional habitat for the yellowhammer.

Additional efforts will include planting roadside trees and new hedges at Abereiddi and Amroth, along with in-field planting at Strumble Head to create a more diverse landscape of meadows and trees. New hedges at Mynachlogddu and Puncheston will help support willow tits and protect SSSI sites from agricultural impacts. Finally, plans for tree planting at Brynberian aim to connect Tŷ Canol Nature Reserve to other woodland sites.

To learn more, visit pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales .