From hidden invaders to 2,000 new trees – celebrating a year of wins on the Upper Wye

Last month at the Royal Welsh Show, we celebrated the first anniversary of the Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project – and what a year it’s been!

From tackling invasive species to planting 2,000 native trees, the project has brought together people, nature, and practical action to help restore the Upper River Wye and build resilience for the future.

Big wins in our first year

Tackling invasive species
Surveys last year led to the discovery of a previously unrecorded infestation of American Skunk Cabbage on one of the Wye’s tributaries, and a tip off from the public directed us to other plants at risk of spreading further. American Skunk Cabbage is an invasive plant that spreads its seeds via streams and rivers. It’s critical that we contain these and prevent it spreading to the main river Wye. Thanks to targeted control work, we’re already making progress in containing it. Alongside this, Himalayan Balsam surveying is underway on key tributaries, to help plan a removal strategy from the ‘top down’ over the coming years. Your sightings really make a difference – please keep letting us know what you see!

‘Slow the Flow’ success stories
Working in Welsh Government’s Hafren and Tarenig forests, we’ve installed simple but effective measures like leaky dams, bunds, and forest drain blocking. These have slowed floodwaters, trapped sediment, reconnected floodplains, and created richer habitats for wildlife – a huge win for both the rivers and the surrounding landscape.

In March, we welcomed Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, to Tarenig Forest to see the work first-hand. He praised the project’s impact and highlighted its role in improving river health and climate resilience across Wales.

Tarenig Forest is now being used as an exemplar demonstration site, showing how nature-based solutions on government land can be replicated to benefit other rivers across the country.

Transforming farms and rivers
Two major farm schemes have already made a difference, with kilometres of fencing, new buffer zones, off-stream watering points, and wetland creation. These projects will reduce erosion, improve water quality, and support endangered species like Freshwater Mussels. By connecting farms across the Upper Wye, we’re seeing a compounding impact – the catchment-based approach is really making the rivers healthier.

2,000 trees planted
Our team and partners planted 2,000 trees on one farm along the river, which once fully grown will stabilise the riverbanks and create vital future shade for fish during heatwaves. The tree roots also create new habitats for wildlife, helping our rivers thrive.

A year of strong partnerships
From farmers to conservation charities, over 50 stakeholders joined our first Upper Wye workshop last October. Since then, we’ve maintained strong connections with organisations like the Freshwater Habitats Trust, Wye & Usk Foundation, Welsh Water, Woodland Trust, and local Wildlife Trusts. Together, we’re planning long-term restoration that benefits everyone – people and nature alike.

Eyes in the sky
Drone surveys have captured stunning before-and-after images of our work, helping us plan, and inspiring more farmers to get involved. Aerial footage is a real highlight – and a chance to see the landscape transform from above, as the changes from work we’ve delivered start to come to fruition.

 

What’s next?

The coming year will build on this momentum – working with farmers and landowners to deliver more work on riverside farms, extending Slow the Flow measures to other forests, expanding tree planting, and continuing the fight against invasive plant species.

Project Lead, Susie Tudge, said:

"This first year has shown what’s possible when we work together with landowners, farmers, communities and local organisations. We’ve achieved real change on the ground, built lasting relationships, and set the stage for restoring the Upper Wye for future generations.”

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The Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project is part of Natural Resources Wales’s wider programme funded by Welsh Government’s Nature and Climate Emergency Fund. It’s about protecting precious wildlife, restoring habitats, improving water quality, and making our rivers more resilient to climate change.

To keep up to date with our work you can follow us on as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, or view our project newsletters here.

If you’d like to report invasive species or get involved, email us at adfergwyuchaf@cyfoethnaturiol.cymru