Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Launches Innovative Farming Programme
Farmers are invited to lead the way in restoring nature through a new National Park scheme.
Photo by peplow via Getty Images
A new scheme has been launched to help farmers and landowners across Pembrokeshire Coast National Park work together – improving habitats, protecting wildlife and building long-term landscape resilience.
Ffermio Bro, funded by the Welsh Government and running to March 2028, forms part of a wider effort to strengthen collaborative land management across Wales's Designated Landscapes.
Rooted in the farming community, the scheme brings people together to deliver meaningful environmental improvements – supporting nature-friendly practices and helping to create healthy, connected ecosystems across the Park.
Arwel Evans, Farm Conservation Liaison Officer at the Park Authority, said:
'Pembrokeshire has a rich agricultural heritage that has shaped our landscape – from the milk and beef produced on lush pastures to our famous 'Tato Newy' (early potatoes). Farmers have been custodians of the land for generations, and through our new Ffermio Bro scheme, we hope to support them in building resilient enterprises while helping our declining wildlife thrive in the future.'
The scheme offers several ways for farmers and landowners to collaborate, depending on their location and shared priorities. Some projects will focus on thematic goals, with farms across the Park working toward common outcomes without needing to form formal clusters. Others may involve catchment-based collaboration, where farmers along the same river or stream coordinate efforts to improve water quality. There is also support for more locally based work, such as joint initiatives on common land or projects that help connect habitats across the landscape.
Applications for funding under £10,000 will be assessed by the Ffermio Bro team, while larger projects will go before a dedicated panel.
Ffermio Bro focuses on a number of interconnected priorities that support sustainable land management. These include improving fresh water management to protect rivers, streams and aquatic ecosystems; promoting regenerative farming techniques that build soil health and support long-term food production; and safeguarding shared grazing land through commons protection.
The scheme also supports the restoration of traditional boundaries, such as hedgerows and stone walls, which are a distinctive feature of the Pembrokeshire landscape. In addition, funding is available for projects that help conserve and enhance the Park's wildlife through targeted species protection.
Arwel Evans added:
'This is a farmer-led scheme, and we welcome all ideas for improving habitats and nurturing wildlife.'
Farmers and landowners within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park can now submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the first funding window, which closes on Monday 23 June 2025.
For more information or to start an application, contact the Ffermio Bro team at ffermiobro@pembrokeshirecoast.wales or complete the Expression of Interest form online .
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
I thought I'd nailed screen time until my kids admitted the truth
It's hard to admit to making mistakes as a mum (Picture: Getty Images) 'Having a computer in our basement was crack cocaine.' It was sobering to hear this from one of my sons, now in his twenties, last week. We'd been talking about online harm, prompted by the Netflix series Adolescence. I had been quietly relieved that none of my five children had laptops in their rooms, unlike Jamie, the show's protagonist, who goes to some dark places online in the privacy of his private space. That's when my son informed me: 'Just because our computer was on view didn't make any difference as far as we were concerned.' It was a shock, and not a very pleasant one. It's hard to admit to making mistakes as a mum, especially if, like me, you give advice to other parents, teachers and caregivers about how to raise resilient teens. However hard we parents try to control our children's online use, raising adolescents in the age of screens is littered with challenges, and I've clearly not got everything right. Smartphones weren't such an issue with my older children, born in 1995 and 1997. iPads were becoming popular when the twins were six (Picture: Getty Images) However, my younger children, born 1999, and twins five years later, are digital natives. iPads were becoming popular when the twins were six. They were drawn to the fun games and unlike the TV shows that ended when I turned them off, the challenge was the 24-hour availability. By 2012, my 12-year-old wanted a smartphone. I said no. I had realised relatively early on that social media could harm adolescents. One of our boys, then 15, had posted a picture on Facebook. The comments suggested he looked 'weird' and he took it to heart. I felt desperate at seeing him so miserable. On another occasion, our daughter was distraught to learn via social media she hadn't been invited to an event. Another son was devastated he had been left out of a WhatsApp group. My other daughter felt she didn't match up to skinny girl ideals on Instagram. I realised that, as a family, we needed some rules. My first rule was for all of us: No screens in bedrooms (Picture: Rachel Kelly) It would be impossible to ban phones altogether: They were crucial for the children to stay in touch with friends. I also knew banning phones would make them more desirable. So my first rule was for all of us: No screens in bedrooms. Phones were to be left downstairs. Then – at least in theory – I could see what they were watching. Second, we delayed buying the younger two smartphones until they turned 14. Instead, they had Nokia bricks that let them stay in touch without connecting to the internet. But of course, that was a temporary fix. Soon enough the twins turned 14 and I stayed true to my word. By this stage, however, we had been having the conversation about online risks for several years. So rather than limit their credit, ban social media or figure out parental controls (all of which they could get around if they wanted to), I decided to appeal to their good sense, critical faculties and their desire for autonomy – a crucial factor happening to the teenage brain. The family PC was my blind spot Quote Quote Therefore, my final rule was phone and iPad free zones – at mealtimes, family time, evenings and bedtimes. When it came to the family computer, however, I was more relaxed. I associated it with hard work and homework. My focus was on the dangers of social media on smartphones and I had done well on that. The family PC was my blind spot. My son also told me that while he and his brothers were using the computers for gaming, one was gaming for several hours a day. In the end, supported by his siblings, he stopped completely – something I only learnt about years later when we talked openly about his experience. All my children have since told me they appreciated phone-free time – and wished I had been firmer in enforcing it. I think I was frightened to do so; sometimes I thought I would be more likeable if I let my teenagers do what they wanted. Looking for more info on raising adolescents? Rachel Kelly's book, The Gift of Teenagers: Connect More, Worry Less is available now. The more we talked, the more my children began to regulate their own social media use (Picture: Rachel Kelly) There is no escaping the fact that your teenager needs technology to run their life, and there's nothing wrong with that. In my experience, the issue is not 'who' as much as 'what' teenagers are exposed to. And the way to stop them seeing harmful and violent content is to talk about it. How did social media make them feel? Answer: Bad. How many hours a day were they online? How many other things did they miss out on as a result? Sport, meeting up in real life, getting some sleep? My kids agreed they were missing out. In fact, they were relieved to discuss this stuff. I could make it clear that I was their parent, I loved them, and I didn't want them to see things online which would upset them. The more we talked, the more they began to regulate their own social media use. Does that mean I think limiting screen time is pointless? Absolutely not. The key is to find a balance that works for both parties, together. Do not take your children's phone use as a rejection of you personally – just give them all the tools and guidance to make sure they do it safely and securely and let them know that you are doing so because you love them. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. Arrow MORE: I slept for 24 hours straight and realised something was seriously wrong Arrow MORE: My farts make me £20,000 a year – I'm blown away by the demand Arrow MORE: The Race Across The World victors aren't too posh to win
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Favourite foods' of garden birds - and how to stop squirrels from stealing them
'Favourite foods' of garden birds - and how to stop squirrels from stealing them The Royal Horticultural Society has unveiled popular foods for garden birds in Britain - here's what you need to know Around 30 bird species are considered regular garden visitors in Britain (Image: Jellybean49/Getty Images ) If you've gone the extra mile to beautify your garden this summer, it might be disappointing to see no birds settling there. But fear not. Specialists suggest you can turn your green space into a bird haven with a few simple additions. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) reports that more than 140 bird species have been observed in British gardens, but only 30 are considered regular visitors. It may surprise you to learn that each species has unique preferences, so understanding the snacks they can't resist is essential for making your garden more appealing. "Use different foods and recipes to entice a range of birds," experts at the RHS have explained online. "Although fat is important, particularly in winter, also provide a grain mix or nuts to maintain a balanced diet. "No-mess seed mixes are more expensive, but the inclusion of de-husked sunflower hearts means there is less waste and debris under the feeder. Inferior mixes are often padded out with lentils and wheat." Many tit species favour insect cakes, according to experts (Image: Getty Images ) "Many birds have 'favourite' foods, so choosing certain types can affect what you see feeding in the garden." While there are countless preferences to consider, specialists outlined the following key points: Article continues below Finches favour berry cakes Goldfinches favour niger seed Starlings favour peanut cakes Tits favour insect cakes Blackbirds and thrushes favour over-ripe apples, raisins and other fruits Nuthatches, sparrows and finches favour sunflower heads Wrens and small birds favour chopped animal fat and grated cheese Beyond this, it's worth acknowledging that mealworms and seed mixes are popular snacks among various bird species. Placing these in an enclosed feeder with an outer cage is advised if you're keen to control what animals can reach the food, too. For instance, if you leave the snacks on a traditional bird table, bigger birds like magpies will likely take dominance, potentially pushing smaller birds off. Squirrels are also infamous for hogging food and may even scare birds away. Although squirrels are clever and can sometimes break through the bars of 'anti-pest' enclosed feeders, you can limit this risk by positioning them away from overhanging branches and other means of easy access. It's also believed that goldfinches especially enjoy niger seed (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Jean Vernon, of Richard Jackson Garden, has also advised: "Squirrels are rather partial to a lot of things in our gardens, especially the bird food. But they will also dig up tulip bulbs and eat them. Article continues below "They love apples, squash and sweet corn and collect masses of acorns, conkers and nuts. Why not feed the squirrels with a special feeder full of hazelnuts, then you get the best of both worlds, you can watch the birds and the squirrels too." Meanwhile, experts at the RHS have added: "A good population of birds in the garden is part of a healthy garden ecosystem, helping to keep caterpillars and aphids in check which can damage garden plants." Have you got a story to share? Get in touch at
Leader Live
a day ago
- Leader Live
Flintshire mould issues almost double due to housing improvement works
A report to the authority's Community and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week revealed that in 2022 the council received 450 complaints relating to mould and condensation in tenants' homes. Last year the number was over 850. According to Flintshire County Council's Housing Services Manager Sean O'Donnell, the problem of mould and condensation is being made worse by upgrades to the energy efficiency of social housing under the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS). By ensuring older homes retain more heat, by default they also retain more moisture making ventilation vital to preventing mould issues. "Mould and condensation continues to be a serious concern for us as a landlord,"said Mr O'Donnell. "We're doing more and more to our tenants homes to make them more thermally efficient in terms of heat retention and that's where ventilation and heating is critical. "The housing stock we have in Flintshire - and across Wales - is the oldest in the UK. In this authority we have 7,400 houses that all have unique characteristics that we need to overcome. "We go above WHQS where we can afford to but the more we undertake improvement works - and this is a concern we've raised with Welsh Government - they're going to create other problems for us. "We understand why we need to get these properties up to an A rating, but we're going to be talking about mould and condensation more and more." Flintshire has allocated a budget of £500,000 to survey, clean and make minor minor repairs linked to mould and condensation issues. "That cost is probably only going to go up," said Mr O'Donnell. "Tenants can help, by keeping an eye out for leaks, drying clothes in ventilated areas, using extraction fans where they are installed. "They can also air the properties regularly, even when cold, to get that dry air in and by keeping on top of cleaning." "We want to work with our tenants, so we would urge them all if they see an issue in their home, report it to us and we can action it."
