NATURALLY CONNECTED, a new three-year project has been launched to protect and restore key habitats across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The project has received a grant of £995,542 from the Nature Networks Fund which is distributed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales. Naturally Connected will focus on reversing biodiversity decline through targeted conservation work, landowner collaboration and community involvement.

Led by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the project will prioritise sites of national significance for wildlife, including species-rich grasslands, wet heath, bogs, woodlands and coastal slopes. Restoration work will take place across 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, six Special Areas of Conservation and other protected landscapes where habitats have become fragmented or degraded.

Mary Chadwick, Conservation Officer at the Park Authority, said: “These habitats are incredibly valuable, but many have declined over time as a result of natural and human pressures. This project gives us a meaningful opportunity to help them recover – through partnership, practical action and long-term care.”

Work will include scrub clearance, bracken control, firebreak cutting and the introduction of sustainable grazing regimes supported by new infrastructure such as fencing and water supply. Invasive non-native species like Himalayan balsam and cotoneaster will be tackled across key sites through coordinated control efforts led by staff, contractors and trained volunteers.

Public participation is central to the project, with volunteers playing a key role in practical conservation tasks, species monitoring and invasive species control. The project will also create two one-year paid traineeships and an Assistant Conservation Officer role to help address sector skills gaps and support future green careers.

Joy Arkley, Head of People Services at the Park Authority, said: “This project is as much about people as it is about places. By giving people the tools, experience and confidence to get involved in conservation, we’re creating a lasting legacy – not just for our landscapes, but for the communities that care for them.”

The Authority will also work closely with landowners to improve habitat condition on privately owned land, offering site-specific advice, biodiversity capital grants and training in sustainable land management. The aim is to support long-term stewardship and help farmers prepare for the Welsh Government’s forthcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), set to launch on 1 January 2026. The SFS will replace the Basic Payment Scheme and reward nature-friendly practices, such as habitat restoration, tree planting and biodiversity enhancement.

Sensitive access management will also be developed in key areas to reduce disturbance to breeding seabirds and seals, particularly at recreational hotspots and Ministry of Defence land, such as the Castlemartin Range.

Mary Chadwick added: “This project is about creating lasting change. By restoring habitats, helping wildlife recover and building skills within our communities, we’re laying the foundations for long-term nature recovery. The benefits will continue well beyond the project’s timeline – through stronger partnerships, better data and a shared commitment to protecting this special place.”

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Sensitive access management: Will also be developed in key areas to reduce disturbance to breeding seabirds and seals