A Montgomeryshire Local Wildlife Site in the spring © MWT/Tamasine Stretton
Local Wildlife Sites
Lake Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Ffridd Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Grassland Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Wetland Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Meadow Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Upland woodland Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Upland Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Woodland Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Yellow waxcap fungus emerging from a steep acid grassland in Wales © MWT/Tamasine Stretton
From mystical ancient woodlands to enchanting waterways, the UK enjoys special, often unnoticed wild places where nature thrives.
What are Local Wildlife Sites?
A countryside rich in wildlife is good for the present and future well-being of everyone. Many of our wildlife havens have already disappeared, taking with them plants and animals which were once common.
Most farms and country properties have areas which are appreciated for their wildlife interest; a field where Lapwing nest and raise their young, or a hedge bank full of flowers and butterflies in the summer. Even sites near urban areas can be important, as they provide wildlife corridors into towns.
Areas where wildlife thrives are very important and wildlife trusts across the UK are identifying these special areas as Local Wildlife Sites. These are the most important places for nature, outside of protected areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Why do Local Wildlife Sites matter?
Download the Local Wildlife Sites guide
Wooded hill Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Montgomeryshire has 72 LWS / SINC
Local Wildlife Sites survey on a bog © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Surveys of Montgomeryshire's special sites is on-going;
Upland Local Wildlife Site © MWT/Tammy Stretton
Montgomeryshire's LWS / SINC cover over one thousand hectares!
Selecting Local Wildlife Sites in Powys
For a Local Site system to succeed and be given due recognition, it is important that rigorous criteria be produced for the selection of a ‘Local Wildlife Site’. The system can then demonstrate why a particular site has passed or has not met the criteria for being a ‘Local Wildlife Site’, making it a justifiable process. A key part of the Where the Wild Things Are project was reviewing the criteria by which LWS are selected in Powys; the previous criteria were written in 1999, so it was time to bring them up to date. The review was completed in January 2020 and the current Powys LWS selection criteria can be downloaded below. This is a living document, so it will be updated as often as is required.
The current version of the Powys LWS selection criteria can be downloaded below (last update 17/04/2020)
If you manage some land with wildlife in mind or know about land which may qualify as a Local Wildlife Site, we would love to hear from you.
Surveying a veteran tree in a churchyard © MWT/Tammy Stretton
If you manage land for wildlife and want to meet like-minded people, join our club!
Do you love wildlife? Want to learn more about helping wildlife on land? Meet like-minded people by joining the Montgomeryshire Habitats Management Group (MHMG).
The MHMG provides a forum for anyone interested in the management of land for the benefit of wildlife, and is of particular value to landowners looking for support and inspiration to generate and maintain habitats on their land. The group aims to share knowledge, experience, skills, ideas and resources to improve biodiversity across Montgomeryshire. This is an aim shared by MWT who continue to support this Associated Partner in their endeavours.
For more information or to join the group, visit: www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Completed projects on LWS
If you would like to read more about previous projects which focussed on Local Wildlife Sites, there are links below.
