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Donkeys benefit from Welsh government funding
The £15m extra funding will go towards projects like Ffarm Moelyci.

Round two of Nature Networks Fund open for applications.

The Welsh government has opened round two of the Nature Networks Programme to improve biodiversity, with £15 million funding available to applicants.

Helping Wales' natural habitats and creatures to thrive, the funding is available to landowners and managers working with natural heritage in Wales, allowing for better management of sites, and improvements to be made.

In round one of the funding, one site that benefitted was Ffarm Moelyci, situated on the outskirts of Snowdonia National Park. 

The farm, which will be applying for the second round of funding, uses rescue donkeys to graze grassland and control invasive bracken.

Ruth Stronge, project leader at Ffarm Moelyci, said: “The donkeys are happy, our volunteers and visitors are happy, our environment is thriving – it’s win-win-win!

“We take great care at Ffarm Moelyci to manage the land as best we can, especially as the farm is an important site that connects historic pasture land to our prized Snowdonia National Park.

“The donkeys have converted a field covered in gorse scrub into an oasis of orchids and butterflies which can spread to nearby farms too.”

Welsh government minister for Climate Change, Julie James, welcomed the work done at Ffarm Moelyci, and encouraged those working with natural heritage in Wales to apply: “Bad land management can mean disastrous consequences not only for our ecology, but for the health of the people of Wales. 

“But look what good land management can achieve – with a bit of help our plants, wildlife and communities can thrive!

“Thank-you Ruth, and all those at Ffarm Moelyci – including the donkeys- for your inspirational work. 

“I’d like to encourage all landowners and managers to please apply for this funding pot through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, so you can help leave behind a Wales that is bountiful in biodiversity to our future generations.”

Applications are now open for funding, to find out more visit the Heritage Fund website. 

 

Image (C) Ffarm Moelyci / Welsh Government

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.