Latest news with #LocalNatureRecoveryActionPlan
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire Council nature recovery plans approved
Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet approved the Local Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) and the Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy, both designed to support the authority's Climate and Nature Emergency response. The plans aim to reverse biodiversity decline, build ecosystem resilience, and encourage sustainable land use across the county. Cllr Catrin Maby, cabinet member for climate change and the environment, said: "The process we followed to develop these strategies highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing the climate emergency. "The council will now begin implementing the strategies, developing detailed action plans, and collaborating with partners such as the Gwent Green Grid Partnership, Living Levels Partnership, and Wye Valley National Landscape." The NRAP adapts national and regional objectives into practical local actions for communities and nature sites. The GI Strategy outlines the council's approach to improving biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and health and wellbeing through green infrastructure. Both strategies were shaped by extensive public consultation, including a campaign launched at the Usk Show in autumn 2024. Monmouthshire County Council is also celebrating Wales Nature Week from July 5 to July 13 with events countywide. The events are listed on the council website.
South Wales Argus
01-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Usk County Hall has six-metre swift tower installed
The tower, which is part of the Gwent Green Grid Shared Prosperity Funding, has been set up to help the declining swift population. The tower, which was installed at the Incredible Edible community garden, has bird boxes for up to 12 pairs of swifts. It will provide additional nesting spaces for swifts and other urban nature, to help address the long-term loss of traditional nest sites in buildings. The tower will also serve as a piece of art to inform residents and visitors about the declining urban bird. The swift population in the UK has declined by 58 per cent since 1995, with a 75 per cent decline in Wales. They have recently been put on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. Swifts mostly nest in buildings, but renovations and demolitions have caused them to lose their nesting sites. The swift tower is one way to help these birds. Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has a Local Nature Recovery Action Plan to help reverse the decline in biodiversity. Councillor Catrin Maby, cabinet member for climate change and the environment, said: "Swifts are on the red list due to declining numbers and so it is vital that we do what we can to support them. "This swift tower is an excellent way to ensure that we continue to see breeding pairs at County Hall for many years to come. "Hopefully it can prove to be a small step towards the recovery of swift populations in the near future." Monmouthshire County Council hopes to support further swift project work through the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature funding during 2025-2027. Anyone who would like to find out more or get involved, can email LocalNature@
