Isle of Anglesey

Anglesey Local Nature Partnership received Challenge funding from Local Places for Nature. The project aimed to deliver restoration of lost and at-risk habitats in marine and freshwater zones around the Menai Strait, culminating in the creation of underwater nature trails, offering snorkelling sessions, and community engagement.

The innovative idea of carrying out litterpick sessions on paddleboards proved popular, and they launched the project with three clean ups on the Gwynedd Afon Cegin and a clean-up on the Menai Strait and island Afon Braint. During the launch phase they also trained a dedicated group of freshwater conservationists to monitor the work throughout the project.

With the help of the Challenge funding, the LNP were able to offer accredited training to over 100 volunteers. Four participants received the Open Water Lifeguard award during the course of the project, and the LNP is aiming to provide accredited snorkel instructor training to a further 12 participants, allowing snorkel surveys to be carried out.

Afon Braint, in South West Anglesey, is a locally important river for brown and sea trout (Salmo trutta), which are a UK Priority Species. Nutrient and soli run-off associated with agriculture activities in the catchment is of considerable concern for water quality and for trout, so the LNP created woodland buffer zones, which can have multiple benefits to the river, including intercepting run off; stabilising banks to reduce erosion; providing fish with shade and cover from predators; and increasing the supply of terrestrial invertebrates which are an important component in the diet of trout.

The LNP also carried out some fencing repair work and replanting. This included erecting over 1.5km of new stock fencing to prevent sheep and cattle from entering the river and poaching the banks. They installed seven drinking troughs, some with pipe work to mains supply and some with solar water pumps. With help from volunteers, they planted over 1.5 ha of riparian woodland with native deciduous trees. They also closed a severely eroded ford and repaired a derelict bridge.

The cleanup and restoration of the river and creation of snorkelling trails has encouraged more people to explore and appreciate the local waterways. The project also promoted citizen science, with communities taking part in water quality testing and underwater invasive species monitoring.