Healthy, Resilient Grasslands
The evaluation of, ‘Healthy, Resilient Grasslands’ was completed by Resources for Change in early 2025 for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. The project aimed to benefit the management of protected habitats and species on Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and improve protected sites or their connected sites for community participation and engagement. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Nature Networks Fund (Round 2).
Clare Featherstone from R4C assessed progress against the aims through analysis of quantitative data, an online survey for volunteers, and structured discussions with Reserves Managers.
The project helped improve the management of Protected Sites, with positive feedback from Reserves Managers and volunteers on site improvements and equipment to aid conservation grazing. Improved relationships with graziers were a highlight. Whilst volunteer engagement was good, it illustrated the challenges of engaging under-represented groups in conservation management.