UK Nature and Environment

Cows and goats are playing a vital role in restoring some of the most important freshwater wildlife habitats in mid-Wales. Livestock is being introduced to carefully chosen sites as part of the River Irfon Catchment Project, led by Freshwater Habitats Trust.

Working with landowners, the national conservation charity is using controlled livestock grazing to help manage dominant vegetation and give rare plant species a chance to thrive.

The River Irfon catchment stretches from Abergwesyn to Builth Wells and is home to a rich variety of freshwater wildlife, living in ponds, wetlands, fens, and streams, as well as the main river channel. One of the aims of the River Irfon Catchment Project is to restore biodiversity hotspots by establishing long-term management plans to protect them for the future.