Sarah Harris
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Local green spaces are more important than ever before, as refuges for wildlife and calming breathing spaces for ourselves.Â
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of local Nature Reserves, green spaces and gardens - not only as refuges for wildlife, but as calming breathing spaces for people.Â
As a result of Covid-19 and the associated lockdowns, Gwent Wildlife Trust have seen an unprecedented rise in visitor numbers to our Nature Reserves, and throughout this period we have kept these sites open so people could benefit from much-needed time in nature. Now we're hoping people will be there for nature in its time of need – and help us continue our vital conservation work across Gwent.
What this short film to find out what we do to keep our Nature Reserves open
Filmed at Magor Marsh with thanks for GWT staff and Hepburn Photography.
The need to protect and restore habitats, to protect our declining wildlife, provide green spaces to the public, and tackle climate change, has never been greater, yet charity funding has never been more uncertainCEO, Gwent Wildlife Trust
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But the pandemic also meant the Trust had to delay reserve management work, and was unable to benefit from the normally huge contribution of volunteer time, due to restrictions on gathering. Many annual summer fundraising events and courses were also cancelled leading to a significant decrease in predicted income. Â
We have been extremely fortunate to receive support from our members, lottery players, the Heritage Lottery emergency grant, government furlough scheme and government grants, however, we are still facing a funding shortfall.
This is why we are now appealing to our local community, requesting that if you have enjoyed visiting our Nature Reserves or value our work, that you consider supporting us at this difficult time.
Support the local Nature Reserve you love
Gwent Wildlife Trust manages 33 Nature Reserves around  Gwent,  including rare wetlands like Magor Marsh, on the Gwent Levels, breath-taking ancient woodlands, like Silent Valley in Ebbw Vale, and once common but now nationally scarce, wildflower meadows at Pentwyn Farm and New Grove near Monmouth. We also provide education and learning to children and young people, as well as teacher training. Nature reserves in Gwent are vitally important to the health of people and wildlife. Studies have shown that access to green spaces improves our mental and physical health, a vital service that we need now more than ever.
Gwent Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves cover 738  hectares of land and shoreline, and our careful  management provides a home for hundreds of thousands of spectacular, rare and critically endangered species such as Otters, Cuckoos, Shrill Carder bees, Water Voles, Dormice and several species of Orchid.
All of our Nature Reserves are ‘free at the point of use’ and accessible to all, and we want to keep it that way, but to do so we really need your help.
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