Frequently asked questions
If you can't find the question you are looking for below, please send us a message at team@tirnatur.cymru and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Why isn’t Tir Natur’s land being used to produce food?
We're not taking any land out of production. The land we're purchasing is dominated by Molinia grass, which is unpalatable to sheep, and bracken which is toxic to them - therefore the grazing value of the land has been deemed very poor. The current vendors will continue to live in their farmhouse and farm their productive land adjacent to the Tir Natur site. Returning keystone species to the land is a pillar of rewilding, and we'll be introducing small numbers of cattle, ponies and pigs to the land. With no predators, a stock manager will manage population sizes to prevent overgrazing, which will in turn produce a small quantity of high-quality beef and pork. The impact of rewilding this land will increase food security on productive farmland lower down the catchment, as healthy peat and plant growth slows water runoff from the land - therefore reducing flooding risk - while the increase in pollinators such as bees and butterflies will increase crop and forage yields elsewhere.
Aren't there enough rewilding sites in Wales already?
Unlike Scotland or England, there are currently no large-scale rewilding sites in Wales, despite its status as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Yet the country has a requirement to meet a target set by the Welsh Government at COP15 on Biodiversity; to halt and reverse nature loss on 30% of its land and waters by 2030 and beyond - we’re not at all on track to meet this. The Tir Natur site will become the first in Wales for large-scale rewilding in action - and will be a blueprint for more nature recovery projects across the country. Our goal is to demonstrate rewilding’s potential as a scalable and affordable response to the nature crisis in Wales, that brings benefits to Welsh people and the rural economy.
How long will it take for wildlife to return?
We're likely to see some improvements in terms of plant life from the first spring after we purchase the land, and the big changes will come when we introduce our natural grazers to create disturbance that very quickly provides new homes for young plants and insects. We would expect to see a boost in animal numbers within 5-10 years.
​What are the risks of rewilding for neighbours and local communities?
Our site has boundaries and fences to keep our natural grazers in. We hope in time that we'll have demonstrated the benefits and opportunities of our work for neighbours and local communities. Our approach to rewilding celebrates local species and heritage which are enmeshed and encourages open access and community custodianship of the land. It also supports eco-tourism and a raft of skilled jobs for tradespeople in the vicinity.
How will you make sure you respect Y Gymraeg?
We are a bilingual organisation, and all public communications and signage will be fully bilingual. Internally, our Welsh language and community working groups help ensure parity for Y Gymraeg across everything we do. We're also working with the Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner to develop our Cynnig Cymraeg (Welsh Language Offer). Our mission goes beyond ecology; it's rooted in community. The Welsh language is a vital part of both local identity and Tir Natur’s ethos. We’re working closely with local communities to ensure the land’s culture, language, and historic landmarks are mapped, celebrated, and protected for future generations. We also invite you to share your own stories of the area. Importantly, all jobs created by Tir Natur require Welsh as an essential skill, recognising the language as a living, working part of our landscape.
Will people have access to the land?
Yes, absolutely. The land is already open access, and we won't change that. Our goal is to improve access to the site by opening up more paths. We'll be inviting visitors to come and tour the land with us, and to a calendar of activity days such as ecological surveying and landmark maintenance. Please sign up to our newsletter for more information (below).
How does rewilding differ from conservation?
Conservation typically focuses on protecting specific species or habitats, often through ongoing management. While important, this can sometimes come at the expense of wider ecosystem health and relies heavily on human input and funding, which may not always be sustainable.Rewilding, by contrast, puts nature back in the driving seat. It allows ecosystems to evolve naturally, with minimal interference. This may mean it is challenging to predict which species may return and how the landscape might change over time.
How does rewilding differ from nature-friendly farming?
In all types of farming, the main output is food, and stock and land are managed in such a way as to maximise food production. In rewilding, the main output is nature - not food.
Image: Pool frog (Matthew Smith, Shutterstock), illustrations (Katherine Jones Artist)