Historic hillfort watches over new future for nature
An historic Corwen monument is supporting work to help future generations of local nature and communities.
Denbighshire County Council’s Climate Change and Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape teams are working to provide a new area of support for nature and visitors to enjoy underneath the watchful eye of the Caer Drewyn Iron Age Hillfort monument.
Over 1,500 trees have been planted on the lower slopes below the hillfort to help create new diverse species-rich habitats to support local nature.
A 190-metre hedgerow has been created with the help of Ysgol Caer Drewyn pupils, containing over 1,000 whip trees including Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Holly, Dog Rose, Guilder Rose, Wild Pear and Crab Apple.
The hedgerow also includes 19 standard size trees including Sessile Oak, Pedunculate Oak, Silver Birch, Downy Birch and Rowan.
Next to the hedgerow 2.4 hectares of land has been planted with 389 trees. This new site will include Rowan, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Hazel, Blackthorn, Holly, Crab Apple, Sessile Oak, Elder, Aspen and Alder Buckthorn.
The trees were planted at six to seven metre intervals to create a woodland habitat area more favourable to local nature.
This development is part of the Council’s work to tackle the Climate Change and Ecological Emergency declared in 2019 and its drive to become a Net Carbon Zero and more Ecologically Positive local authority by 2030.
Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to biodiversity, and climate change exacerbates this by limiting species’ ability to access more favourable habitats.
For Caer Drewyn, woodland and hedgerow creation has been designed to improve connectivity between existing surrounding habitat as wildlife corridors.
Other development on the site includes the improvement of moorland areas and the development of a wetland habitat area. Footpaths at the site are being improved, alongside new fencing and access gates.
The woodland creation project has received funding from an £800,000 grant awarded to Denbighshire County Council from the UK Government and is being undertaken alongside other projects at Caer Drewyn, including a landscape enhancement initiative, funded by National Grid, and measures in the wider area to conserve curlews.
The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape ranger team will continue to manage the site in the long term as part of its role to ensure that the environment of the area of outstanding natural beauty is improved and protected and that the land is made more accessible.
Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “Thanks to the assistance of Ysgol Caer Drewyn pupils this work will help our county build stronger resilience against the impact of climate change and better help our nature as we move into the future. We need to continue to make the most of what we have to try to reverse the loss of natural habitats over the years to give local nature a vital chance to survive and thrive moving forward.”
Cllr Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “This is a fantastic area overlooking Corwen, steeped in so much history that will provide such an improved supportive home for nature that is found on the hills.
“The rangers with the support of everyone who has dug deep on this land are doing a great job in also making this site accessible for walkers visiting the local area to help them enjoy the benefits of the land and I look forward to seeing the finished result.”