Frequently asked questions
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The story behind Tir Natur
For four years, Tir Natur was built entirely by volunteers - people from across Wales who shared a belief in making more space for nature and were willing to give their time, skills, and energy to make it real. Tir Natur was registered as a charity in 2022, and by 2025 we had already explored several publicly listed sites, each of which sold quickly. After missing out on multiple opportunities, we became aware of a chance to purchase part of a farm in Cwm Doethïe. The site offered something rare in Wales: 1,195 acres of connected land with extraordinary potential for nature recovery, shaped by its upland character, diverse habitats and position within the Elenydd. Tir Natur’s mission is to restore whole ecosystems in Wales so that wild nature and communities thrive together. We work to bring back natural processes, revive habitats at scale, and create places where nature can lead its own recovery. We follow rewilding principles of using hardy cattle, Welsh mountain ponies, and other natural grazers to shape diverse, resilient landscapes. By restoring peatlands, soils, vegetation, and water systems, we aim to tackle climate change, reduce flooding and wildfire risks, and rebuild the ecological foundations that support wildlife and farming. Our mission is also deeply community‑rooted. We want to celebrate local culture and heritage, improve access to the land, and create opportunities for learning, wellbeing, and local economic benefit. We will build long‑term relationships with neighbours and invite people to reconnect with the land’s stories. Ultimately, we want to see wildlife return, from pine martens to water voles, and to inspire nature‑based action across Wales, contributing to national biodiversity goals and demonstrating how nature‑led restoration can strengthen rural communities, climate resilience, and food security.
Purchasing Cwm Doethïe
Is the land being used
for food production?
We are working with a neighbouring farmer who manages a small herd of cattle on the site with a grazing contract. Their low‑intensity grazing helps re‑establish natural ecological processes, opening up dense vegetation, creating structural diversity and supporting habitat recovery. While this grazing will produce a small amount of high‑quality beef, our focus is firmly on nature restoration, not food production. The land we purchased is dominated by Molinia grass, which sheep largely avoid, and bracken, which is toxic to them - making cattle a far more suitable grazing choice here, and the resident ponies came with the land itself. Rewilding this land will help to support food security further down the catchment. Our work will support the peat and vegetation on the land to slow the flow of water from the hills, reducing flood risk on productive farmland. At the same time, rising numbers of pollinators - bees, butterflies and other insects, will help boost crop and forage yields elsewhere.
How much rewilding is really happening in Wales?
Our goal is to demonstrate rewilding as a scalable and cost-effective response to the nature crisis in Wales, one that delivers real benefits for wildlife, Welsh communities and the rural economy. Today, less than 1% of land in Wales is being rewilded, while around 90% of Welsh land is managed for agriculture. Wales urgently needs landscape‑scale solutions that restore nature alongside supporting rural livelihoods, and rewilding offers a practical way to do this. By restoring natural processes, rebuilding habitats and working with natural grazing, we aim to show how rewilding can deliver long‑term ecological recovery. Cwm Doethïe provides the scale, connected habitats and ecological potential needed to demonstrate what landscape‑scale rewilding can achieve. As the project develops, it will act as a case study for more rewilding sites across Wales, offering evidence, learning and inspiration for communities, landowners, farmers and policymakers who want to see rewilding at scale. Our hope is that Cwm Doethïe becomes the first of many places where Wales shows what’s possible when nature is given the space and freedom to thrive.
How long will it take for wildlife to return?
Year on year, we will measure and record how wildlife and natural processes change across the land. Although there are already several ecological hotspots within Cwm Doethïe, we expect to see habitats recover and expand as the surrounding landscape develops, creating the conditions for greater abundance and diversity of species. Wales is one of the most nature‑depleted countries in the world, ranked 225th out of 240 in the Biodiversity Intactness Index. This is not a quick project, it is a generational one. By committing long‑term, we aim to show how rewilding can help reverse Wales’s biodiversity decline and create a healthier, more resilient landscape for future generations. We expect to see a greater diversity of different plants and vegetation from the first spring and summer, due to the impact of the cattle and ponies that we have on the land. We would expect to see a significant rise in species diversity and abundance within 5-10 years.
How are we working with our neighbours and local communities?
Our approach to rewilding celebrates local heritage, wildlife and the long history of people caring for this landscape. It encourages open access, shared stewardship, and a sense of shared ownership. Rewilding also brings wider benefits: providing a space to enjoy and benefit from nature, welcoming visitors, supporting eco‑tourism, and creating skilled opportunities for tradespeople and contractors in the area. We are already working closely with some neighbouring farms, and those relationships are shaping the rewilding work on the land. A neighbouring farmer has his grazing cattle on our site, helping us to reshape the land, while we are also fortunate to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a growing number of local volunteers who have been supporting us with a range of tasks. Over time, and in collaboration with the community, we hope to expand the opportunities for people to enjoy the site. The land itself is securely fenced and bounded, keeping grazing animals where they need be and ensuring clarity for neighbours.
How are we making sure we respect Y Gymraeg (The Welsh Language)?
At Tir Natur we believe the land, local communities and Y Gymraeg are all woven together and we aim to reflect that in our work. The Welsh language has always been a part of this living landscape, as reflected in the names of the fields, streams and mountains. On a practical level, this means that all of our public communications and signage are 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). The loss of nature also represents a danger to the Welsh language, as terms fall out of use and vanish, along with declining species. Safeguarding the diversity of wildlife in Wales plays a role in safeguarding the language. But 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 by emailing team@tirnatur.cymru. Please see our Welsh Language Policy, link in our footer.
Do people have access to the land?
Do people have access to the land? Yes absolutely, please come and visit the land and see our rewilding work. The site is open‑access and you are welcome to explore the land, experience the habitats, and see the restoration work taking shape. The Cambrian Way trail passes directly through the land, giving walkers a unique chance to experience Wales’ largest rewilding project as part of their journey. We have a calendar of activity days - from ecological surveying to landmark maintenance, and improving access by opening up more paths across the site. To plan your trip, head to our Plan your visit page for full details. Or sign up to our newsletter to hear about upcoming events and updates from the land, link in our footer.
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. Instead of uncertainty feeling like a challenge, it becomes something genuinely exciting. Across other rewilding projects they have seen species return in wonderful, surprising and unexpected ways - wildlife arriving that no one predicted, habitats reshaping themselves, and natural processes reestablishing in ways that teach us new things about how ecosystems thrive. We can’t wait to see what appears at Cwm Doethïe, and what nature will teach us as it’s given the freedom to flourish. Letting go of control isn’t a risk, it’s an invitation for the landscape to show us what’s possible.
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.
Buying the land at Cwm Doethïe was the central focus of our early fundraising. The site was purchased thanks to the support of grant makers, Community Founding Members (see our Community Founding Members page for more details) major gifts, and donations from the public as well as a philanthropic bridging loan arranged through a bank. This financial package enabled us to secure the land while it was available and while staying true to our charitable purpose and long‑term vision. As part of the sale agreement, the sellers requested that the location remain private until all paperwork was signed and the purchase was secure. We honoured that requirement, ensuring trust and clarity for everyone involved.
Illustrations (Katherine Jones Artist)
