Wales Environment Link

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...

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/

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

A Brown Hairstreak butterfly and a fly, both feeding on yellow flowers, bordered by a pale orange rectangle and white text which reads 'Together for Insects'

Want to know how you can help? Have your say on the Big Insect Rescue Plan, our collaborative plan championing your voice and ideas so we can save the insects that our ecosystems depend on, together. 🦋

Take part here 👉 butterfly-conservation.org/big-insect-r...

We need insects, but today, insects need us to take action 🚨

We've united with Buglife and @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social to sound the alarm for insects, by launching a Declaration on UK Insect Declines.

Find out more about why it’s so important we speak up now 👇

🌍 Peidiwch â cholli Amrywiol wrth Natur – gweminar sy'n ymhelaethu ar leisiau amrywiol mewn cadwraeth.
✨ 3 siaradwr. Straeon go iawn a syniadau ar hil, arweinyddiaeth a natur.
🗓️ 29 Hyd | 🕡 6:30–8:30pm
🔗 Cofrestrwch: event.swisscom.ch/v/diversebyn...

🌍 Don’t miss Diverse by Nature – a webinar amplifying diverse voices in conservation.
✨ 3 speakers. Real stories and ideas on race, leadership & nature💚
🗓️ 29 Oct | 🕡 6:30–8:30pm
Sign up here: event.swisscom.ch/v/diversebyn...

Here's our response 👇

Swifts are amazing! @jennyrathbone.bsky.social and @carolynthomasms.bsky.social supported the petition to include swift bricks in all new buildings this week: nation.cymru/news/swift-a...

You can read more about their needs in our Species Champion briefing here: waleslink.org/wp-content/u...

It's essential to the wellbeing of our rural economies and that of our natural environment that the economic modelling for the SFS is based on up-to-date data, and that it considers the scheme as a whole.

The SFS has been watered down plenty. Enough.

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.”

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...

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

We fully support Wales Environment Link’s manifesto includes

👏the clean-up of our waterways and
👏a commitment from all parties to the delivery a new National Park in North-East Wales

Read the full manifesto 👇

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

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.

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

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.

Our Manifesto for the 2026 Senedd Elections - Wales Environment Link In May 2026, a new Welsh Government will be elected; this government will be the one that succeeds or fails in our international nature targets for 2030. In this manifesto, Wales Environment Link memb...

We're pleased to launch our 2026 manifesto for the Senedd elections today!

#WeNeedNature #AngenNatur

waleslink.org/manifesto-20...
waleslink.org/cy/maniffest...

Briefings on the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Wales Environment Link These briefings set out WEL and the Green Alliance’s positions on each of the three parts of the bill, with recommendations for improvements throughout the Senedd process to make it as robust and effe...

They did an excellent job breaking down the technical areas, and making the Bill understandable and accessible for everyone.

If you want to find out more about the Bill, our briefings break down each area on our website - waleslink.org/briefings-on...

Our fantastic panellists @ruthchambers.bsky.social (Green Alliance), @jameshitch.bsky.social (Rewilding Britain), Joe Wilkins (ecologist), and Chair, Edna Wachira (Women4Resources) discussed what the new Environment Bill means for people and nature in Wales.

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.

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.

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

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...

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

Revealed: sewage overflow in English and Welsh national parks twice outside rate Exclusive: Campaigners attack ‘outrageous’ situation, saying waters in protected areas should be cleanest

Breaking News 📢 Sewage pours into rivers of English and Welsh National Parks at twice rate elsewhere

Our new report in partnership with @theriverstrust.bsky.social reveals that 57% of rivers in National Parks fail to meet good ecological status 📉

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

National Parks encompass some of the most biodiverse and important rivers in the country💧

Yet even in precious #NationalParks, freshwaters have been ignored by successive governments, companies & regulators 📉

It's time to recue our rivers 👉 www.cnp.org.uk/support/camp...

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

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...

A butterfly and bumblebee feed on a large pink flower.

You can be part of the solution 🤝

Find out more about the Declaration on our website: www.bumblebeeconservation.org/news/declara...

📢 Please share this thread to help build momentum!

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A butterfly and bumblebee side-by-side.

What the Declaration calls for:

🌱Restore insect-friendly habitats
⛔ Cut harmful pesticide use
🛡️ Protect key species and ecosystems
🔬 Invest in science and education
📈 Make the UK a leader in insect recovery

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A group of insects feeding and flying away from a thistle.

UK insect populations are plummeting:

🐝 Bumblebees declined by 22.5% in 2024 – the worst year on record.

🦋 Butterflies also had their worst year on record in 2024 and have struggled to bounce back in 2025.

🪰 Flying insects have fallen by 63% since 2021.

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Two carder bumblebees feeding from a white flower.

Why it matters:

🐝 Insects are essential for our world to function.

🐞They pollinate crops and wild plants, recycle nutrients, maintain healthy soils, control pests, and form the base of the food web for birds, bats, fish, and other wildlife.

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A close-up of a bumblebee feeding on a sunflower. Text reads: Insect crisis declared. The UK’s leading insect conservation charities launch the Declaration on the UK Insect Declines Crisis.

Yesterday, the UK’s leading insect conservation charities launched the Declaration on the UK Insect Declines Crisis at the @WildSummitUK🚨

This united front calls for change across governments, land managers, businesses, and the public. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Welsh farmers 📣 this week is your last chance to apply for organic conversion support, with the window closing on Friday, September 12th.

Find out how to apply, rates available, and the financial benefits of #organic 💚🌱🐮 www.soilassociation.org/certificatio...