2023

The debate over the conservation of hen harriers is one of the most controversial and polarised and as a consequence has been widely used in social science analyses of conservation conflicts.  

hen habitat and predation management ended, the Berwyn Hills fell silent, but with the right approach, birdlife can be restored.

Boots and sunnies on, sandwiches packed, clipboards at the ready… GWCT’s Advisors are out and about and busier than ever with biodiversity audits!

We have a limited number of brand new Sasta Laavu Fleece Gilets available, embroidered with the GWCT logo. You can secure yours here, with free UK delivery.

This month the Welsh Government has rejected amendments to the Agriculture (Wales) Bill to allow the licensed use of Humane Cable Restraints (HCRs) to protect breeding curlew. In response, Owen Williams, GWCT Chairman of Trustees, Wales, wrote to the Welsh Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths.

On 16 May, final amendments were considered for the Agriculture (Wales) Bill in the Senedd. This bill outlines the Welsh Government’s proposal to prohibit the use of any snare (including licensed use) or other cable restraint. It is hugely disappointing that an amendment tabled to enable the strict licensing of Humane Cable Restraints (HCRs) for conservation purposes was not accepted.

GWCT, like other rural conservation organisations has called for an urgent response from Defra over its proposal to make a major change to GL43 – the interim general licence which covers gamebird release on or within 500m of European Protected Sites in England.

The second round of Defra's Landscape Recovery fund is now open for applications. The initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable food production and conservation. 

In conservation management, Professor John Lawton advised conservation efforts should be ‘bigger, better and more joined up’, and that is exactly what is needed when it comes to American Mink control in the UK.

Organisers of The GWCT Welsh Game Fair have announced that popular Welsh hill farmer Gareth Wyn Jones is set to host a pop-up restaurant at the two-day event and appear in the theatre when it returns to Vaynol Estate in Gwynedd, North Wales on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September 2023.