The Penpont Project: intergenerational nature restoration in the Bannau Brycheiniog

Penpont’s ecological history is not a straight line. Our co-produced map of Penpont’s present state, made in 2019, drew on ecological surveys (eg. habitat, vegetation, birds, insects, soil), drone mapping, expert views, and the experiences of Penpont’s farmers, foresters, and land managers. In broad terms it shows recent declines in biodiversity, and prompted us to reflect on drivers or change in our landscape, including status, war, and subsidies.

Rooted in the potential of the past and the opportunities of the present, through the creation of a future map, our partnership identified the need to blend nature-friendly farming and forestry with natural process-led approaches to nature restoration in order to create a thriving, bio-culturally varied mosaic that meets the needs of all – human and non-human alike. It presents a shared vision for a possible future, incorporating new ideas and ambitious goals to address the challenges we face.

Priority actions were listed along a visual river timeline, focusing on the next 5 years, ordered by theme, with a plenary to align actions and resolve differences. Key thematic areas were identified: wildlands, food, farming, culture and education. A detailed land action plan using GIS mapping was created, establishing a new monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework for collective on-the-ground delivery, fundraising, and organising at Penpont.

Our project’s participatory approach to restoring Penpont’s health and driving holistic recovery of nature, culture, and community can itself be considered a solution, in terms of the need to build trust and bring different interest groups together to create change. Across the project site we are now undertaking collectively mandated actions including afforestation, wetland and wildflower meadow restoration and a shift towards conservation grazing across more than 100-acres.

The project’s partnership reflects the diversity of voices and livelihoods in and around Penpont. The core group of farmers, landowners, expert friends, local stakeholders, AFC, and YLG has shared power to design and deliver positive change for people and the land. They work with wider partners to revive biodiversity, preserve Welsh cultural heritage, and connect people with nature at Penpont, while engaging policymakers, land managers, and the conservation sector to influence broader change.

A new Tree Nursery is growing native trees for the project site. Over 30 native species, 15,000 trees in total, have been planted in various forms (forests, hedgerows, wood pasture, orchards, etc). Over 20 micro-habitats have been created, now home to barn owls, otters, reptiles, and amphibians. Four historic ponds were restored, along with wildflower meadows, wet grasslands, and riparian woodlands. Grazing practices are being adjusted to allow nature’s comeback.

The project tackles interconnected problems, like climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and disconnection from nature, through an intergenerational approach to land restoration, providing opportunities for young people and community members to connect with nature and take meaningful action. The mapping process helped the project to use systems thinking to understand the mental models and structures that have contributed to these problems.

The importance of restoring natural processes and regenerative farming, embedding youth leadership and participatory approaches in bio-cultural restoration, and creating a shared vision for diverse social, ecological, and economic opportunities for all partners. The project is an exemplar of how youth leadership and collective action can achieve the recovery of nature, culture, and community across generations, sectors, and knowledge systems.