Buglife Cymru is working with partners and communities across Swansea Bay to undertake timely and specific conservation interventions for 13 rare species identified as being at risk of local, and regional extinction.

Quick Facts

Name of Project: Swansea Bay – Coasts, Commons & Communities
Duration of Project: August 2023 – August 2027
Location of Project: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire local authority areas.
Invertebrate Species benefiting from Project: Fen Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius), Strandline Beetle (Eurynebria complanata), Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail (Vertigo angustior), Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale), Six-spotted Cranefly (Idiocera sexguttata), Silky Wave (Idaea dilutaria).
Other species benefiting from Project: Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis), the lichen Cladonia peziziformis, Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii), Burnt Tip Orchid (Orchis ustulate), Three-lobed Crowfoot (Ranunculus tripartitus), Broad-fruited Cornsalad (Valerianella rimosa) and Goldilocks Aster (Galatella linosyris).
Project funded by: National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government and a number of charitable trusts, foundations and corporate donors including Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Banister Charitable Trust, and significant support from Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme administered by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).
Project Partners: Amphibian Reptile Conservation, Butterfly Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Natural Resources Wales, National Trust, The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

What will the project do?

The Swansea Bay – Coasts, Commons & Communities project is undertaking practical habitat management and carrying out essential surveying and monitoring to better understand the needs of the 13 priority species.

Alongside species work, the programme strives to connect people from all walks of life with nature, to broaden opportunities across the fabric of Welsh society, and bring nature to those who need it most. This will include an array of arts and creative engagement activities, guided walks, talks, training and education sessions, and community events.

In Gower and the urban communities of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot specifically, we will work with lesser seen audiences on the 13 rare species that can be found on their doorstep to enable participation in recovery – both for people and nature.

This project will contribute to the Natur am Byth! programme which looks to establish a platform for lasting conservation in Wales, providing a legacy for target species in the longer term.

Fen Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius) © Steven Falk

How can you get involved?

Communities can get involved in the Swansea Bay – Coasts, Commons & Communities project through a series of community activities, creative and species ID workshops, nature walks, and public events. There will also be opportunities to volunteer your help with practical habitat management and taking part in our surveying and monitoring programme.

To find out more about getting involved in the Swansea Bay – Coasts, Commons & Communities project, please keep an eye on our socials and events page or contact Buglife Cymru at [email protected].

Looking at bugs under the digiscope at the Gower Show © Steve Dixon

Swansea Bay – Coasts, Commons and Communities is funded through Natur Am Byth! by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government and a number of charitable trusts, foundations and corporate donors including Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Banister Charitable Trust, and significant support from Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme administered by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).