Helping Nature to Recover

Pastures near Whitesands, where grazing has been given a summer break, springing back to life with coastal species such as centaury

Prosiect Cysylltu’r Arfordir yn dathlu llwyddiannau pwysig o ran adfer natur

Mae prosiect tair blynedd uchelgeisiol Cysylltu’r Arfordir, sef prosiect i adfer byd natur a gefnogir gan gyllid Llywodraeth Cymru, ar fin dod i ben ac mae wedi cymryd camau breision i ddiogelu a gwella ecosystemau bregus Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro.

Mae’r prosiect, sydd wedi’i lunio i ddiogelu cynefinoedd arfordirol a gwella bioamrywiaeth ar dir fferm wrth ymyl yr arfordir eiconig, yn gweithio mewn cydweithrediad agos â ffermwyr a thirfeddianwyr lleol i adfer cynefinoedd, cryfhau cadernid ecosystemau, a hyrwyddo ffyrdd cynaliadwy o reoli tir.

Mae Cysylltu’r Arfordir wedi esgor ar ganlyniadau trawiadol, gyda newidiadau o ran rheoli tir yn creu cynefinoedd ffyniannus ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt. Mae hyn wedi dod i’r amlwg wrth i ni weld blodau gwyllt arfordirol fel y ganrhi goch a’r clefryn yn ailymddangos lle mae mesurau pori er lles cadwraeth wedi’u rhoi ar waith, a phlanhigion âr prin fel trwyn-y-llo lleiaf a llysiau’r-gwrid yn tyfu yn yr ymylon o gwmpas cnydau sydd wedi cael eu gadael heb eu chwistrellu.

Mae dolydd gwair newydd hefyd yn ffynnu, gan gynnig noddfa i bryfed peillio ac adar, ac mae porfeydd sy’n gyforiog o rywogaethau yn helpu i ddiogelu iechyd pridd a diogelu stociau carbon. Mae’r ardaloedd hyn sy’n llawn bioamrywiaeth yn creu clustogfeydd hanfodol yn yr ecosystem arfordirol, gan gynnig mwy o wytnwch yn erbyn effeithiau newid yn yr hinsawdd.

Dywedodd Clare Flynn, Swyddog Prosiect Cysylltu’r Arfordir: “Wrth galon prosiect Cysylltu’r Arfordir mae partneriaeth gref gyda’r gymuned ffermio a thirfeddianwyr lleol. Mae hyn yn amrywio o ffermydd llaeth mawr i dyddynwyr sydd ag ychydig o gaeau – ac rydyn ni wedi cael cefnogaeth aruthrol a chroeso cynnes gan bawb.”

Connecting the Coast has been instrumental in helping farmers continue with traditional hay meadows, such as this one at Newgale

Wrth i’r prosiect ddirwyn i ben yn y misoedd nesaf, bydd y tîm yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth a chyngor wedi’i deilwra i dirfeddianwyr, gan fynd ati’n ofalus i fonitro canlyniadau ecolegol yr ymdrechion i adfer cynefinoedd. Mae’r prosiect wedi ymrwymo i ddyfnhau sgyrsiau gyda ffermwyr a Llywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau cymorth ffermio cynaliadwy a sicrhau bod adfer byd natur yn parhau i fod yn brif flaenoriaeth yn Sir Benfro a thu hwnt.

Mae Cysylltu’r Arfordir wedi cael cymorth ariannol gan gronfa Tirluniau Cynaliadwy, Lleoedd Cynaliadwy Llywodraeth Cymru.

Er bod y broses gwneud cais am gyllid wedi dod i ben erbyn hyn, mae rhagor o wybodaeth am y prosiect ar gael drwy anfon e-bost at Clare Flynn yn claref@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk.

Support has been given to conservation grazing for biodiversity, as in this species rich meadow near St Davids

Connecting the Coast, an ambitious three-year Nature Recovery project backed by Welsh Government funding, is drawing to a close, having taken great strides in protecting and enhancing the fragile ecosystems of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The project, designed to safeguard coastal habitats and enhance biodiversity in farmland next to the coastline, works in collaboration with farmers and landowners, to restore habitats, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and promote sustainable land management.

Connecting the Coast is claimed to have yielded impressive results, with land management changes creating flourishing habitats for wildlife. This is evident in the reappearance of coastal wildflowers such as centaury and sheep’s bit where conservation grazing has been implemented, and the appearance of scarce arable plants, such as weasel’s snout and bugloss, in crop margins that have been left unsprayed.

New hay meadows are also thriving, offering sanctuary to pollinators and birds, while species-rich pastures are helping to secure soil health and protect carbon stocks. These biodiversity-rich areas form vital buffers in the coastal ecosystem, offering increased resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Connecting the Coast project officer Clare Flynn said: “At the heart of Connecting the Coast is a strong partnership with the local farming community and landowners, ranging from large dairy farms to smallholders with just a few fields – and we’ve been met with overwhelming support and a warm welcome from everyone.”

Work has been undertaken with farmers to enhance biodiversity within farms

As the project enters its final months, the team will continue to provide tailored support and advice to landowners, while closely monitoring the ecological outcomes of habitat restoration efforts. The project is committed to deepening conversations with both farmers and the Welsh Government to secure sustainable farming support and ensure that nature recovery remains a top priority in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Connecting the Coast has received financial support from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places fund.

Although applications for funding are now closed, further information about the project can be obtained by emailing Clare Flynn at claref@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk.