Wales Environment Link
@waleslink.bsky.social
450 followers 230 following 79 posts
The network for environment & nature charities in Wales 🌱🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #WeNeedNature #AngenNature https://waleslink.org/
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Reposted by Wales Environment Link
rspbcymru.bsky.social
Here's our response 👇
waleslink.bsky.social
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...
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
ebenmyrddin.bsky.social
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.
waleslink.bsky.social
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...
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.”
waleslink.bsky.social
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...
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.”
waleslink.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
campaign4parks.bsky.social
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 👇
waleslink.bsky.social
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
waleslink.bsky.social
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.
waleslink.bsky.social
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.
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
waleslink.bsky.social
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.
waleslink.bsky.social
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.
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.
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
waleslink.bsky.social
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...
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
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
campaign4parks.bsky.social
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/...
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
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
campaign4parks.bsky.social
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...
waleslink.bsky.social
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...
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
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
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!

5/5
A butterfly and bumblebee feed on a large pink flower.
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
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

4/5
A butterfly and bumblebee side-by-side.
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
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.

3/5
A group of insects feeding and flying away from a thistle.
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
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.

2/5
Two carder bumblebees feeding from a white flower.
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
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

1/5
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.
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
thesoilassociation.bsky.social
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...
Reposted by Wales Environment Link
britishecologicalsociety.org
As the global need for sustainable food intensifies, regenerative agriculture as a concept has become politically and economically loaded.

We look at the evidence in our report 👇

🧪🌎🌿 @wildsummituk.bsky.social #wildsummitUK #naturefriendlyfarming

www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/is-r...