A new website has been launched to show how organisations in West Wales are working together to improve the health of rivers in the area and the ways in which local residents can help recovery.
The website focuses on work of the West Wales Nutrient Management Boards (NMBs), set up to protect the Tywi, Teifi and Cleddau rivers. These are Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and are currently failing to meet phosphorus targets. This places ecosystems at risk and represents a risk to wildlife in the region.
The West Wales Nutrient Management Boards are funded by the Welsh Government and are led by local authorities in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. They bring together public bodies, utilities, environmental groups and local voices. The aim is to develop long-term solutions that improve water quality while supporting sustainable development.
In a statement Gail Pearce-Taylor, Nutrient Management Board Programme Manager Tywi, Teifi and Cleddau river SAC catchments, said:
“This website is our way of sharing everything we’ve learned so far and bringing people with us as we build Nutrient Management Plans for the future. The challenge of phosphorus pollution can only be tackled by working together – and that’s what makes these Boards so special.”
The site includes detailed GIS-mapped data, non-technical summaries, resources for landowners and developers, and citizen science findings. People can also find out how to join the NMB stakeholder groups or take part in upcoming consultations.
In a combined statement from the Chairs of the Nutrient Management Board’s for all three rivers, Ceredigion County Councillor Clive Davies, Chair of the Teifi NMB; Carmarthenshire County Councillor Carys Jones, Chair of the Tywi NMB, and Pembrokeshire County Councillor Jacob Williams, Chair of the Cleddau NMB said:
“The health of our rivers underpins everything – our wildlife, our economy and our communities. It’s vital that we take a proactive and collaborative approach. This new website gives people the tools and knowledge to be part of the solution.”
The WWNMB have also announced that they will be conducting public engagement sessions in the summer. There will be a stand at the Tywi River Festival on Saturday 19 July, at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday 21 July, and Pembrokeshire County Show (FUW Stand) on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 August. More details on these events will be published on the website soon.
You can visit the website and learn what you can do by following this link.
