A National Forest for Wales Landscape Pilot project, led by Cwm Arian Renewable Energy and Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership.
The project engages communities in woodland skills, agroforestry, and nature connection at Tegryn.
Key details
- Location: Tegryn, Pembrokeshire (new National Forest for Wales candidate site)
- Project Type: Community woodland engagement, agroforestry, skills development
- Partners: Cwm Arian Renewable Energy (CARE), Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership, WCVA, Welsh Government
- Aims:
- Involve communities in woodland management and skills
- Develop a new National Forest for Wales site
- Enhance biodiversity, accessibility, and resilience
- Provide training in agroforestry, orchard craft, green woodworking, hedgelaying, woodland ID, and GIS mapping
Outputs and impact
- Activities:
- 8 workshops (orchard skills, hedgelaying, green woodworking, nature connection, agroforestry, woodland ID, GIS mapping)
- 84 individual interactions across five woodland/agroforestry sites
- 29 primary school students engaged in willow ‘fedge’ planting
- New interpretation boards, tree tags, and an interactive online map
- Application submitted for new National Forest for Wales site
- Results:
- 100% of primary school students showed learning gains
- 97% of workshop attendees gained new skills
- 93% rated workshops as excellent
- 60% reported deeper understanding of local woodlands
- Benefits:
- Social: Stronger community connections, youth engagement, volunteer empowerment
- Environmental: Enhanced biodiversity, woodland resilience, sustainable land management
- Economic: Skills development, support for local landowners and farmers
Feedback
“This course has been fantastic, 4 days outdoors in great company with highly skilled tutors who guided and empowered me to feel I can do this!”
“Brilliant session about silvopasture, I am reinvigorated in thinking about our grazing systems.”
Challenges and learning
- Short delivery timeframe created pressures but was managed through increased staff hours and close partner collaboration.
- Lessons learned: importance of robust risk mitigation, realistic budgeting, and time management for future projects.
Legacy and next steps
- Ongoing collaboration with local schools and environmental groups
- Continued community engagement and skills development
- Long-term stewardship and sustainable management of the new National Forest for Wales site
