The Solutia Meadows Project

The project involves habitat works across a 36.5 Ha nature reserve on the Gwent Levels. The site consists of grazing marsh (UK BAP Priority Habitat) where a key feature, the reens (drainage ditches), have become overgrown and dried out. Work will focus on recasting the reens and cutting back scrub to open up new areas of wetland habitat. Other works aimed at improving the site include pollarding, coppicing and wildflower seed harvesting and sowing. The project also contributes to other UK BAP habitats – particularly hedgerows – and includes the creation of a new traditional wildlife orchard. A range of work for associated BAP species including water vole, otter and shrill carder bee are also included in the project.