Allt Rhongyr Nature Reserve
Living landscapes is a new way of thinking about how we manage land to do more for wildlife, people and the economy.
What is a Living Landscapes?
Living Landscapes is about thinking big; not just big nature reserves but a mosaic of reserves, farmland, parks and urban areas that are managed so that wildlife and people can not only coexist but thrive. We need to make the most of all opportunities and be imaginative and inventive.
Living Landscapes is an ambitious vision for wildlife and people, and a new way of thinking about our natural environment. Developed by The Wildlife Trusts, the idea is that by thinking big and collaborating on a larger scale than ever before, we can improve the landscapes of the UK for the benefit of our wildlife and people, both now and into the long-term future.
The Wildlife Trust’s vision is a landscape within which wildlife thrives and people prosper together in clean, healthy and sustainable environments.
Why do we need to change our approach?
For many years we have tried to protect nature by looking after small unconnected nature reserves. This has slowed but not stopped the decline in our wildlife. Now, especially in the face of climate change, it is essential that we take a broader view of the environment, in which wildlife, people and business can work better together for everyone and everything.
Our Living Landscape Schemes involve the creation of a network of wildlife habitats across large areas, resulting in a resilient ‘Living Landscape’ that people and wildlife can benefit from. We wish to reconnect fragmented habitats so that wildlife can move more freely and to provide local people with opportunities to improve their health and well-being and for learning and development. Providing easy access to high quality, biodiverse greenspaces is an important and integral element of social justice, and is a particular issue for deprived communities who often have less opportunity to travel out of their built environments.
We want wildlife to thrive, to disperse and recolonise our landscape so future generations can encounter, experience and enjoy our natural heritage. And so that we can too!
The Wildlife Trusts have more than 100 Living Landscape schemes around the UK, where nature conservation work is helping to put wildlife back on the map outside our protected nature reserves and with the help of a wide range of partners and communities. Click here to find out where all the UK Living Landscape schemes are.
Where is my Local Living Landscape scheme?
The Upper Tawe Valley/Cwm Tawe Uchaf
Mid-Wales Red Squirrel Area (Link to external website)