See also the individual Project Report Forms
Coed Heddwch - Anne Hooper (001)
£994
I aim to create a tree nursery to grow local native trees for conservation and educational purposes for the benefit of the environment and encouraging community involvement.
This was carried out successfully. There are wildlife benefits on site - and will be elsewhere if trees are transplanted. A candidate for Biosphere branding of woodland products? Report
Ysgol Gynradd Pennal - Emyr Lyn John (002)
£1000
Re-design the school garden to be an outside space for the children. A place to hold workshops and to study the creatures and birds. Arrange workshops to create bird boxes. Improve the path so it can be used through the year.
This was carried out successfully. The school probably values the general benefits of the outdoor space more than the biodiversity aspects at the moment and there is scope to support staff in engaging children with nature. Report
Ferry ‘cross the Dyfi - Graham Carnell (003)
£100
I would like to apply for the grant so that I can advertise for team members to join in a local community effort to design, build and operate a ferry service across the Dyfi.
Publicity was generated as anticipated, but there is no forward movement. Graham does not have the capacity to carry out the consultations required and not enough enthusiasts came forward. Report
CAT - Peter Harper (004)
£750 Conference report (summary)
We want to run an all-Wales conference on the future of land-use in Wales in a ‘low carbon’ economy. This would include production of fuel crops, sequestration materials, and ‘managing the land for carbon and ecosystem services’ as well as for food production.
The conference was successful in bringing together a large number of people to progress their thinking on this topic, but has not succeeded in engaging the agricultural and strategic mainstream so far. Report
Long natural wildlife hedge - Ian Mitchell (005)
£206
On the site we have planted indigenous woodland and hedging. This promotes biodiversity and creates wildlife corridors and improves the quality of the landscape. We want to develop another long natural wildlife hedge.
This was carried out successfully, with good wildlife benefits on site. Report
Create properly dried and seasoned firewood - Peter Bottoms (006)
£1000
Assisting with the printing and packaging costs for the setting up of firewood and kindling for sale in the Dyfi Valley area, as an additional part of a completely sustainable timber growing and sawn timber business.
Reusable packaging was obtained that appeals to local retailers, but its use was delayed until the 2008/09 heating season due to unexpected planning delays. Potentially a candidate for Biosphere branding of woodland products, if other firewood producers can be brought together around an agenda of quality. Report
Purchase a charcoal kiln - John Owen (007)
£1000
I wish to buy another charcoal kiln as this would make the job more efficient and productive. There is a national as well as local demand for home produced charcoal.
This happened as planned. A good collaboration over woodland management occurred with the new Nature and Conservation Group (grant number 014. A candidate for Biosphere branding of woodland products? Report
Drama Workshops - Tracy Evans (008)
£600 Full report (4MB)
Working with Ruth Brocklehurst, we would run a free one day Theatre in the Woods event for up to 20 young people aged 13-18 for the Dyfi Valley. The aim of the day is to create a temporary performance space in the woods, as well as devising a short environmental play, which will be performed to a public audience at the end of the day.
This proved to be difficult to arrange / find ‘customers’ who would commit, but was a big success for the eventual participants. Awareness raising. Report
Machynlleth Golf Club - John Lewis (009)
£1000
Commission and audit and report about the Club House’s energy use and carbon implications and implement at least the first priority in the report, as funds and time permits. This is likely to be heating controls.
The grant contributed to the installation of solar water heating and a photovoltaic system, which should be good discussion points for members and visitors as well as saving fossil fuel. Report
Machinations - Sarah Williamson (010)
£171.30
Create a hedge along the car park to attract birds through providing a natural habitat for them.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site. Report
Cylch Feithrin Corris - Jane Rigby (011)
£445.88 picture 1 (424 KB) picture 2 (244 KB)
We would like to create a garden in the outside area of the Ysgol Feithrin to conserve nature, encourage wildlife, increase biodiversity, slow climate change by growing food, reducing food miles; we will do educational awareness raising activities with the children.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site and ongoing educational benefits for children and their parents. A committed parent is likely to continue to develop this resource. Report
Nest boxes - Lesley Fletcher (012)
£248.30 Full report
We own 6 acres of mature oak woodland which we manage for wildlife. We wish to put up nest boxes to replace all ours which have rotted/become unusable.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site and the likelihood of more in the future. Report
Wales Wild Land Foundation - Stanley Owen (013)
£1000 Full report
To pay a professional fundraiser for a limited period to seek funding for an officer to pursue our projects.
The report was written and a website created. Report
Nature and Conservation Volunteer Group - Zena Wilmot (014)
£1000 Full report (4.5 MB)
The aim is to initiate a volunteer group who will participate in conservation activities and projects in the Dyfi Biosphere Reserve area. This will encourage local people and groups to look after and value the place where they live. The grant will help with the initial set up of this group, including insurance, equipment and run the first two volunteer nature conservation days in the Dyfi Valley area.
The initiator succeeded in running two conservation days and forming a group from the volunteers. There are some issues the group needs to resolve to secure its future, including whether any of the roles need to be and can be paid. Potentially a very valuable resource for the Dyfi Biosphere and formed in response to it. Report
Ysgol Gynradd Machynlleth - Gwenfair Glyn (015)
£1000
Create a Nature Reserve on school ground near the car park. Create a lake for frogs and create a garden where the children can study the different animals and birds. They will therefore lean the importance of looking after the environment.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site and ongoing educational benefits for children and their parents. A committed teacher is likely to continue to develop and use this resource with the Eco School Committee. Report
Ynys-hir RSPB - Dick Squires (016)
£1000 picture (1.2 MB)
Clear 5 hectares of rhododendron from oak woodland in the villages of Furnace and Eglwysfach.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site. Report
Dyfi Raptor Experience - Luce Green and Barry McDonald (018)
£1000
Educational centre run by myself and partner, promoting awareness of Raptors and environments in the way they live through conservation and interlinked activities, rehabilitation and climate change. The money will be spent to create recovery aviaries for injured and orphaned birds of prey – which will help to improve facilities for raptor rehabilitation status. Website – to promote activities and educational materials. Picnic tables and trees – to enhance visitors/children’s enjoyment.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site and ongoing educational benefits for visitors. Report
Forest Leader level 3 training - Ruth Brocklehurst (020)
£865
We would like to support to improve what we are offering in our pilot project. Train women to achieve a leader 3 award so that they can take their Ti a Fi groups to the woods confidently, offer sessions to After School and youth groups. The money will be spent on training cost for up to 5 women to be able to lead groups of children and vulnerable people in the outdoors with a Forest School Leader award level 3.
This was carried out successfully. A series of free forest school events were held for children during the 2008 summer holidays by two of the trainees and Henni Tremlett (grant number 025) was able to deliver her forest school project as a result of this training. Report
Treftadaeth Llandre Heritage - Roger Haggar (023)
£1000
In order to preserve the interesting species in the grassland and the biodiversity of the woodland, a single habitat map of the area needs to be drawn up. This would include:
a) guidelines for regular monitoring of wildlife and longer-term changes in the habitats
b) efforts to increase biodiversity or enhance habitat type such as tree planting and nest box siting
c) areas of community involvement with the biodiversity of Llandre such as events, workdays and education
This was carried out successfully and a management plan produced. An active group. Report
Forest School Practitioner - Henni Tremlett (025)
£750 Picture 1 (2.2 MB) Picture 2 (1.8 MB)
I will soon be a Forest School Leader and would like to set up a small regular Forest School in Corris. The money would go towards my labour, set up costs and equipment such as clothing.
The Forest School activities were carried out successfully for children of Corris and Aberllefenni. Report
Angell Energy Group - Peter Matthews (028)
£1000
We hope to use the outflow of water from a reservoir above our valley near Aberangell to generate a supply of electricity for six families who, at present, use diesel generators.
The pre-feasibility report showed that this project is likely to be viable. Report
Machynlleth Community Children’s Project - Emma Davies (031)
£388.64
Nature garden, nest boxes etc.
This was carried out successfully and included activities for the children as well as improving the habitats. Much appreciated by parents as well as children. Report
Ynyslas Gardens - Lynne Dickens (039)
£1000 Full report
We will create a wildlife zone in the garden developing bio diverse habitats. We intent to:
a) Lay a native hedgerow which will encourage birds to feed and nest etc Picture (72 KB)
b) Develop a shallow pond
c) Plant native trees Picture (78 KB)
d) Design and create a wildlife herbaceous border which will encourage bees, butterflies etc.
This was carried out successfully, with wildlife benefits on site. A good tie up with the participants on the wildlife and vegetable growing course managed by Mentro Allan. Report
Cae Poeth Nature Reserve - Alun Thomas (040)
£1000
Create a nature reserve consisting of a lake. Invite local community, less able people, people with learning disabilities and children to visit, learn and enjoy the freedom and outdoor environment.
The nature reserve is still in its infancy but is likely to prove to be a valuable resource in due course. Development support would be appreciated and useful. Report
Taliesin Energy Group - Michele Leslie (041)
£450
Do an energy survey of Taliesin by visiting people’s homes.
The survey was carried out, though there are more homes to target. The group is not very strong currently, despite a lot of support locally, and has potential to be more effective. Liaising with project number 044. Report
InSynch Business Services Ltd - Eddy Webb (042)
£995
A one-day course that focuses on working towards a paper less office, minimising printing costs, energy conservation whilst computing, telephone and video conferencing, working from home to reduce travel and overhead costs etc.
The course was held, and appreciated by a small number of participants. Report
Ecodyfi - Gwenno Davies (044)
£162
To assist the Dyfi Footprint project, that aims to help people make more sustainable choices in their lifestyles. The ecological footprint allows people to quantify the impact of various expenditure categories.
The project carried out additional interviews/surveys during this period, but is low key at the moment while it waits for the result of an application to fund staff time. Report
Withdrawn:
Polytunnel - Alex Randall (032)
£800
We will establish the infrastructure needed to run a course that will help people learn to grow their own food and establish wildlife gardens.
The course was held despite the absence of the polytunnel, so wildlife benefits were still obtained. The planning department requested facilities for car parking when it learned that a course would be held and this caused very long delays.
Evaluations by Andy Rowland; September 2008
© 2007 Dyfi Biosphere
