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waleslink.bsky.social
Wales Environment Link
@waleslink.bsky.social
460 followers 230 following 82 posts
The network for environment & nature charities in Wales 🌱🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #WeNeedNature #AngenNature https://waleslink.org/
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waleslink.bsky.social
Let @natreswales.bsky.social know what you think of the proposed Glyndŵr National Park in NE Wales here, open till 8 Dec: ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/north-east-g...

You can read more about it with this very helpful page from @campaign4parks.bsky.social: www.cnp.org.uk/about/our-wo...
October 29, 2025 at 11:01 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
A very interesting analysis and chat at the Britain Talks Climate & Nature Welsh launch this afternoon. Here’s their findings: climateoutreach.org/britain-talk...

Great panel too with Lee Waters, Leanne Wood and remarks from the Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies.

#weneednature
Four person panel sitting in front of a table, looking towards a screen with a wheel of data about different voters’ broad thoughts towards climate and nature policy. Detailed info here: https://climateoutreach.org/britain-talks-climate/climate-big-picture-2024/wales/ A close up of the data wheel, setting out broad views from voters like ‘established liberals’ and ‘dissenting disrupters’. More data here https://climateoutreach.org/britain-talks-climate/climate-big-picture-2024/wales/ and more on the segmented voter types here: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/seven-segments/
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
Yesterday, Welsh Gov published its economic modelling for the Sustainable Farming Scheme. The analysis is far from robust, in our opinion, and only looks at the universal layer's (the entry level) impact on farms, not the Scheme as a whole.

Check out our response ⬇️
waleslink.org/business-cas...
This is a quote set against a narrow portrait image to the side of a cow. This is a black and white cow standing in a muddy grassy field in Eryri (Snowdon). The quote says: “We want the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) to boost nature-friendly farming in Wales to help farmers restore nature and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Business Case published today supports what Wales Environment Link (WEL) has long been pointing - the scheme's Universal layer alone will not provide sufficient benefit to nature, Welsh citizens nor the public purse. The Business Case states that the scheme's Optional and Collaborative layers deliver far better returns on the Welsh Government's investment. The conclusions are clear - if the SFS is to deliver its goals, Welsh Ministers will need to commit sufficient budget to the Optional and Collaborative layers and provide high-quality, accessible farm advice and guidance to help farmers take up these actions. And it should also mean an end to payments that just patch or prolong up the problems that unsustainable, and particularly intensive farming has created. Truly sustainable farm practices and systems work in harmony with the natural productive capacity of the land; they regenerate, rather than damage our soils, water and wildlife. WEL also notes that the impact assessment overlooks the farm productivity gains that can take time to materialise, such as improvements to soil health. And the assessment does not consider those upper layers which offer the real support for the nature-friendly farming practices. The Welsh Government’s ‘SFS payment ready reckoner’ provides a more accurate guide as to what the SFS means for farm business, and we’d encourage farmers to use this directly, to see what their own impact will be.”
October 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
We’re enjoying learning about the @publicmap.bsky.social project today at the Pierhead. Trialled on Ynys Môn, there’s so much potential on so many different layers - environmental, social, cultural… impossible to summarise here, you can learn more on their website! publicmap.org/en
September 30, 2025 at 2:07 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
Our key explains each numbered area and links to briefings and sites with more information.

We just HAVE to spend more time trying to get to that nature-rich future, instead of the nature-poor dystopia we risk hurtling into if we keep taking nature for granted.

#WeNeedNature #AngenNatur
September 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
We’re pleased the manifesto comes with our new Nature-Rich Wales graphics; these depictions of healthy & unhealthy rivers, farms & seas show the two paths to a nature-rich Wales and a nature-poor Wales. One where the Welsh Gov listens and one where we keep taking our environment for granted.
September 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
We set out asks on eight areas, focused on bringing Wales back from the brink of the nature crisis. These are the essential things the Welsh Government, whoever is elected from May 2026, need to start doing to stop our species going extinct, pollution running rampant & our food systems collapsing.
A content page showing the topics covered by the manifesto. They are: Governing our environment effectively; greater freedom of access; resilient and crisis proof farming practices; restoration of species and habitats; planning progressively for nature; clean up and value our watercourses; restore our oceans; take action on single-use plastics; and book ends of our new 'nature rich' and 'nature poor' Wales graphics. Page 8 of the manifesto, on policies for 'Greater freedom of access'. You can use accessibility tools to read the page on the PDF here: https://waleslink.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Manifesto-2026-English-.pdf Page 9 of the Welsh manifesto. You can use accessibility tools to read the page on the PDF here: https://waleslink.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Manifesto-2026-Welsh-.pdf Page 12 of our Welsh manifesto on building in harmony with nature. You can use accessibility tools to read the page on the PDF here: https://waleslink.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Manifesto-2026-Welsh-.pdf
September 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
We're logging on to say a big thank you to everyone who joined our panel discussion at the Climate Cymru Act Now Change Forever mass lobby 🐝

We also wanted to say a big thank you to the staff at @climatecymru.bsky.social, Bethan Sayed and Stanley Townsend for organising a brilliant day.
Our four panellists (L-R - Joe Wilkins, James Hitchcock, Edna Wachira, and Ruth Chambers) standing in front of a WEL pop up banner. Joe is holding his hands behind his back. James is holding a yellow board with a dark yellow rectangle patterned background, which says 'for people, for climate, for nature' and includes the Act Now Change Forever logo. Edna is holding a white Wales Environment Link board which says 'I support ambitious nature targets / Rwy'n cefnogi targedau natur uchelgeisiol', and includes a blue, green, and red footer designed to look like a chart tracking nature recovering over the next 25 years. Ruth holds a board with a white and baby pink rectangle patterned background, which says 'Cymru Iachach, Tecach, Mwy Diogel'. There ae various items on the floor in the background, including other posters and an amplifier.
September 25, 2025 at 11:03 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
Panel’s started at the Urdd Centre in the Bay! Come and join us if you can 🌱 #actnowchangeforever

@heleddfychan.bsky.social @llyrgruffydd.bsky.social @delythjewell.bsky.social @joycewatson.org.uk @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social @carolynthomasms.bsky.social @markisherwoodms.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
We're holding a panel event at @climatecymru.bsky.social's 'Act Now, Change Forever' mass lobby this week! We'd love to see you there, pop by anytime between 2pm and 3:30pm, to discuss all things Environment Bill.

Details attached + more info available online here: waleslink.org/wel-panel-at...
An invite giving more info on the panel. The text is below and the images are a lesser horseshoe bat, wings outstretched like it's diving from a rafter. Another is a brightly coloured blue and orange kingfisher, pierching on a branch, looking very fluffy. The third one is a carder bee, hanging onto a lavender flower, also looking fluffy. The text says: Act Now Change Forever Mass Lobby Wales Environment Link Panel: What does the new Environment Bill mean to you? Wednesday 17th September Starting at 14:00 Urdd Centre, Cardiff Bay - entrance opposite Tŷ Hywel Panellists: Ruth Chambers, Green Alliance James Hitchcock, Rewilding Britain Joe Wilkins, Wildlife enthusiast Chaired by Edna Wachira, Women4Resources
September 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
We'll be at Climate Cymru's mass lobby at the Senedd on Wed 17th September - will we see you there?! All the details you need are here: climate.cymru/campaigns/ac...

#WeNeedNature #AngenNatur
August 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
The Sustainable Farming Scheme design is finally done; check out our full reaction here. We’ll continue to work with Welsh Gov and all others to make it as good as it needs to be for nature and climate: waleslink.org/response-to-...
An image of half text and half photo. The photo is of a beautiful flowery hay meadow, with ox eye daisies, thistles, dandelions and tall grasses reaching up to the sky, against a backdrop of a yellow sunset. The text says: “WEL reaction to final Sustainable Farming Scheme design: Whilst this is an improvement from the previous Common Agricultural Policy and a step forward towards sustainable agriculture, it will need continuous further improvements to meet the challenge of the nature and climate emergency. We welcome that BPS payments will be tapered, and the indication that the funds will be channelled into the upper layers; the universal layer should be seen as a first step, and we hope to help farmers in their journey to the truly regenerative approach that our land needs.”
July 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
It’s an exciting time & this film shows how to manage it in harmony with species like sewin (championed by @cefincampbell.bsky.social) & salmon (championed by the minister himself, @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social)

We’re sure all the species’ needs will be heard with such great advocates on standby!
July 8, 2025 at 11:56 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
Great to be at the Senedd’s screening of Balancing the Scales with the @beavertrust.bsky.social & @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social 🦫 🐟 🦫

Sponsored by our new Beaver Champion @joycewatson.org.uk and joined by @carolynthomasms.bsky.social & @hannahblythyn.bsky.social

beavertrust.org/our-work/bal...
July 8, 2025 at 11:48 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
You can read more of their asks in WWF Cymru's manifesto for the 2026 Senedd elections here: www.wwf.org.uk/sites/defaul...
June 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
And that’s a wrap! Thank you so much to everyone who came - especially Janet Finch-Saunders for sponsoring, @johngriffiths.bsky.social, Jane Dodds and perhaps (?) future MS, @anthonyslaughter.bsky.social ! Watch this space for more as the Bill progresses & we hope to upload clips of presentations
June 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
She stresses the need to insert a statutory deadline into the Bill, to ensure the initial 2030 targets aren’t being set at the last minute in 2029, preventing any well planned actions from taking effect before our first report card!
June 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
Handing over to the excellent Annie Smith from @rspb.bsky.social Cymru, who’s highlighting the duty to set nature targets, and authorities’ duty to contribute to said targets
June 24, 2025 at 11:51 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
But Ruth stresses that there is no guarantee of its independence in legislation, unlike UK’s where there’s a duty for ministers to respect its independent nature. Its powers include issuing notices, improvement reports and escalating to the high court if nothing is done in response
June 24, 2025 at 11:33 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
Moving on to the governance body, we look forward to the Office for Environmental Governance Wales (OEGW) being set up, with @ruthchambers.bsky.social highlighting the helpful framing of duties for it to ‘give advice but somewhat on its own terms’, its independence is crucial
June 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
And @ruthchambers.bsky.social has given an excellent overview of the principles, noting that @welshgovernment.bsky.social has listened in terms of the legislative language, using ‘ministers must have *special* regard for the principles’, stronger than England’s equivalent ‘due regard’
June 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
We’ve started our event at the Pierhead with @green-alliance.org.uk ! Would love to see MSs pop by, pick up a briefing and pose with a puffin 🐧

Briefings available online here waleslink.org/briefings-on...
June 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
waleslink.bsky.social
We must make sure the nature crisis is taken seriously and not pushed down the road any further; nature can't wait! Watch this space for upcoming briefings on the three parts of the Bill #NaturePositiveWales
Sioned Williams, Plaid MS, with Tessa, WEL staffer. Tessa with Joyce Watson, Labour MS, holding a photo board. Mike Hedges, Labour MS, holding a photo board with Karen Whitfield, WEL Director.
June 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
The Bill is overdue and we're so glad to finally fill Wales' governance gap, but there is no deadline set for our nature targets to be set by; targets we're expected to meet by 2030, only 5 years away.
Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid MS, with WEL staffer, Tessa John Griffiths, Labour MS, with our board in front of RSPB and Wildlife Trust banners with puffins, lapwings and badgers illlustrating them. Gareth Davies, Conservative MS, with Karen Whitfield, Director of WEL, holding photo boards. An NRW 'Natur am Byth' banner sits to the right. Rachel Sharp, Director of Wildlife Trusts Wales, with photo board with Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid MS.
June 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
waleslink.bsky.social
WEL and @green-alliance.org.uk are holding a Senedd briefing on the Environmental Governance, Principles and Targets Bill on Tuesday 24th June - if you're an MS who supports a Nature Positive Future for Wales, you'll have an invite in your inbox; please come along so we can make it work for nature 🌱
WEL staffer, Tessa, with Delyth Jewell MS, Plaid spokesperson for climate and nature, holding a photo board saying 'I support ambitious nature targets'. The background is Cardiff Bay, with St David's Hotel featuring through the glass wall of the Senedd. Peter Fox MS, Conservative MS, holding the 'I support ambitious nature targets' board with the public milling about in the background of hte ground floor of the Senedd's Neuadd public space. From the mezzanine is a banner saying 'Force for Nature' in the corner. Labour's Carolyn Thomas MS holding a photo board alongside WEL's Director, Karen Whitfield, in front of the wooden 'funnel' of the Senedd's siambr. Mark Isherwood, Conservative MS, holding a photo board in front of the glass wall of the Senedd's Neuadd, with the red brick Pierhead building peeking through the glass.
June 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM