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Biodiversity

The Local Places for Nature Officer at One Voice Wales is available to support all Community & Town Councils with all aspects of Biodiversity.

Your Local Places for Nature Officer is Rachel Carter: [email protected]

The role is funded by Welsh Government under the Local Places for Nature funding programme which aims to create ‘Nature on your doorstep’. We can provide a variety of services to your Council, and these are summarised below:

On this Biodiversity page, you will find more information about:

Local Places for Nature

This is the capital funding programme set up in 2020 by Welsh Government to help ‘halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity’ in Wales. Under Section 6 of The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 all public bodies have a statutory duty to report on how they are maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. We want to see all our Member Councils taking part and encourage their community to get involved in this exciting scheme.

As Community and Town Councils, you are well placed to develop the environmental wellbeing of the areas you serve, and One Voice Wales is uniquely placed to help you deliver the Local Places for Nature Programme.

Welsh Government has declared a climate emergency and enacted a nature recovery plan. We want to help our councils take part in creating: ‘Nature on the doorstep’ for your communities and leaving a legacy for future generations. Our shared experiences during the Covid pandemic had shone a spotlight on the importance of nature and green spaces in our communities and the vital role of local democratic bodies like yours.

This capital funding programme will give you an opportunity to implement projects to increase biodiversity and change your communities for the future.

My role within One Voice Wales is to help all Community and Town Councils to facilitate these types of projects. I will be your specialist point of contact; from generating the initial ideas, getting community engagement, making a successful bid for capital funding and setting up and maintaining the projects.

From 2020 to 2025, the 5 year programme was organised into the 5 main areas shown on the diagram below:

The Community and Town Council sector have significantly contributed to meeting the objectives of the Local Places for Nature programme. Since 2020 the sector has accessed over £1.5million of the capital funding, installed more than 400 Keep Wales Tidy packages and worked with their Local Nature Partnerships (LNPS) to create, enhance, and restore biodiversity and deliver nature on the doorstep for their communities.

The map below shows you the location of all the projects being delivered by Community & Town Councils:

Google Map of Council Projects

Here is a small selection of the successfully completed Local Places for Nature projects. Click on each one to view the Case Study:

2020-2021: Criccieth Town Council / Llandrindod Wells Town Council /
Cwmaman Town Council, Llanon Community Council & Llanedi Community Council

2021-22: Pontypridd Town Council / Betws Community Council

2022-23: Llanelli Town Council / Llanelli Rural Council

These are the most recent projects that are currently in progress:

2023–2025: Eight projects were successfully awarded funding and five of these are now complete, with the remaining three due to be completed by August 31st 2025.

The successful Councils were:

  • Bay of Colwyn Town Council – Complete
  • Caldicot Town Council – In Progress
  • Llanedi Community Council – Complete
  • Llantwit Major Town Council – Complete
  • Machynlleth Town Council – Complete
  • Mumbles Town Council – Complete
  • Pembrey & Burry Port Town Council – In Progress
  • Pennard Community Council – In Progress

View the Case Studies here.

To find out more about the programme, you can view the video below that was shown at The Senedd Showcase event on 29.11.24.

Senedd Showcase Event 2024

On Wednesday 27 November 2024, One Voice Wales held a very successful showcase exhibition at The Senedd building in Cardiff Bay.

One Voice Wales would like to thank Carolyn Thomas MS for her kind sponsorship and support of the event. It was fantastic to have Local Places for Nature promoted, and the event discussed during First Minister’s Questions in the chamber the previous day. Thank you to both Carolyn and the First Minister for such a positive representation.

The aim of the event was to showcase the amazing contribution of Community & Town Councils across Wales to the Local Places for Nature funding programme. It offered a unique opportunity for Senedd Members, programme partners and members of the public to view a selection of successful Local Places for Nature projects and to talk to the volunteers involved.

There were seven exhibitions on display from the following Councils:

The One Voice Wales exhibition showcased many other successful projects and those currently in progress. It also offered an opportunity to learn about the wider role One Voice Wales plays in driving the Biodiversity agenda within the Community and Town Council sector through our Local Places for Nature Officer. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that helped prepare and deliver this event, and to all those who came along to support us on the day.

Have a look at the videos on our YouTube channel shown below.

This video was playing on the screens throughout the event, which has lots of information about the Local Places for Nature funding programme, as well as videos from some of the projects and other One Voice Wales events:

A video showing the highlights of the event:

The discussion at First Minister’s Questions 26.11.24:

Guidance Documents

Following our successful launch event on Tuesday 21 May 2024, we are very pleased to share with you our new Biodiversity Guides. These new resources were funded by the Local Places for Nature Programme funded by Welsh Government. Click on the titles to open.

Nature Recovery Action Guide

A document to help councils understand the basic principles of biodiversity with a simple structure based on 5 Pillars of Nature Action, which can be applied in different settings to restore, create, and enhance biodiversity and meet their Section 6 duty. This document compliments the new training module. Produced in partnership with Cynnal Cymru.

Community Growing

A bright and colourful guidance publication with lots of useful tips on setting up all sizes of community gardens initiative. The front page is a representation of all the elements that could be included to join up food growing and biodiversity together. Produced in partnership with Social Farms & Gardens.

Biodiversity and Planning

An engaging and practical guidance document to help Councils/Planning Committees look at planning applications with biodiversity in mind. This will help Councils understand the legislation in place and how Community and Town Councils fit into the process. Produced in partnership with In Our Nature (CIC).

Training in Biodiversity

Alongside the regular webinars and training sessions delivered as part of the Pethau Bychain network, we also now offer 3 new modules which are delivered alongside the existing training menu at One Voice Wales by our team of excellent Training Associates. Both courses are proving very popular, so book yourselves in now! Please visit our Training pages for more information and details of how to book.

Module 25 & 26

Biodiversity Basics Part 1 and 2: this is a 2-part course teaching Councils the basics of biodiversity, nature recovery and ecology, the need to make good decisions and effective Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). It follows the same ‘5 pillars of biodiversity’ as introduced in the guidance document. After attending this course, Councils will be better placed to write robust BAPs and Section 6 Reports, to meet that Section 6 duty of biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Produced in partnership with Cynnal Cymru.

Module 27

Nature Project Management: a course delivered over 1 session that demonstrates the basics of project management in the context of nature and environmental projects. Handouts will include a project checklist for Councils to help them manage projects in line with Biodiversity principles, on time and within budget. It is hoped that all Councils that attend this course will have already attended the Biodiversity Basics Course. Produced in partnership with Catrin Evans Consultancy.

Site visits and advice

Our Local Places for Nature Officer is able to meet with you on site and visit all your green spaces. Whilst on site, we can look at the existing ecology and consider how you could enhance, create and restore biodiversity, by making small changes or embarking on a larger project. Following a site visit, you will receive a comprehensive report with practical ideas and advice for how you can take your Biodiversity Plans forward. In some instances, only small changes are required to make a big impact. We work alongside the Local Nature Partnerships in each area, as well as the County ecology teams, to consider all options available to you.

An example of a Site Visit Report

Site Visit Report – example

The Section 6 Duty

Your Community or Town Council has a statutory duty under Section 6 of the Environment Act (2016) which states that every public body…

…must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of their functions in relation to Wales, and in so doing promote the resilience of ecosystems, so far as consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.

To comply, a Council should:

embed the consideration of biodiversity and ecosystems into their early thinking and business planning, including any policies, plans, programmes, and projects, as well as their day to day activities.

Every public authority, including all Community and Town Councils, must publish a report on what they have done to comply with the duty. The first report was due at the end of December 2019, further reports must then be published before the end of every third year. The last report was due by the end of December 2022. Reports provide transparency, accountability and are a communication tool. The next reporting round is now active, with reports due by the end of 2025.

In my role as Local Paces for Nature officer at One Voice Wales, I am working with the Welsh Government to keep a record of the reports and this will allow us to create a database across our sector and share best practice, helping all of you complete both robust Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) and future S6 reports (2025).

I would kindly ask that Councils send me a copy of the completed report and the link to the website page where the report is published, so this can be recorded and shared on the Wales Biodiversity Partnership website.

Following the series of webinars on the Section 6 duty in April 2025, an updated overview of the Section 6 Duty can be found here:

Section 6 Duty Overview

The Section 6 Report

Reports are due from all public bodies in all Community and Town Councils by the end of 2025.
Reports can be included in your Council’s Annual Report, or completed separately using provided templates. Once ratified, they must be published on a website or made available on request.

Templates for the Section 6 reports are available to download below. Please check which group your Council fits into by referring to the table on the Section 6 Duty Overview or on the last page of each template.

Please note that the report should be in proportion to the scope of each council. Please refer to the Section 6 Duty Overview which will help you understand which sections of the report you should need to complete.

Section 6 webinars during April – click here for further information.

Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs)

To allow a Council to complete robust Section 6 reporting, it is also required for each Community and Town Council have an active Biodiversity Action Plan published or available on request. Councils can seek advice and guidance from our Local Places for Nature Officer with writing their plans. The completed plan should then be reviewed and updated regularly. At the end of each 3 year period, all completed tasks on the Biodiversity Action Plan can be transferred to your Section 6 Report.

Templates for Biodiversity Action Plans are available to download below. Please check which group your council fits into by referring to the table on the Section 6 Duty Overview or on the last page of each template.

Pethau Bychain

Pethau Bychain is the One Voice Wales Green Network for Biodiversity champions from the sector.

Meetings are held regularly on various topics of interest and members have access to information and resources.

It is open to all Clerks, Cllrs, and employees across Wales. Each Council can have as many members as it wishes, and it is the individuals who are the members. You can register to join Pethau Bychain here: JOIN NOW

Why join the network?

By becoming a member, you will get exclusive invites to regular webinars on biodiversity topics of interest.

An example of the talks that have taken place are shown in the image below:

Changes to mowing practices

The Welsh Government and the United Nations have declared a Nature Emergency!

A staggering 97% of Wales’ wildflower meadows have been lost in the last 80 years; mainly due to changes in land use and house building. Our vital pollinator species like Butterflies, Moths, Bees and Hoverflies continue to decline every year with many species becoming extinct or so rare they are on the verge of extinction. We all need to act now to create, enhance, and restore habitats and provide forage for these vital pollinators, invertebrates and the wildlife that depend on them (State of Nature Wales Report 2023)

The good news is that as a local council one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase biodiversity and support ecosystem resilience is to reduce mowing schedules on the land you manage. If you are landowner/manager of green sites, please consider discussing changes with your existing contractors or Grounds maintenance teams. You can also request a change in mowing for any Local Authority managed land in your area.

Areas could include:

  • Recreational fields and parks
  • Burial grounds and churchyards
  • Road verges
  • Play parks
  • Any amenity space

There are a variety of changes that can be made, some may require different machinery, but some can be very simple. It was recommended that whatever changes are planned that there is clear communication between stakeholders. Use of signage is strongly advised to ensure this. Free resources are available from the Welsh Government ‘It’s For Them’ campaign.

For land your Council manages:

Suggested changes could include:-

  • Using Cut & Collect machinery instead of Cut & Fly or Cut & Drop but not changing schedules – this removes all cuttings (arisings); lowering soil nutrients which is essential for reducing growth of course grasses and increasing growth of vital wildflowers in between mows.
  • Increasing the mowing height / Reducing the frequency of mowing –  this allows more low-growing species such as Selfheal, Mouse ear, Speedwells and Eyebrights to bloom; providing vital nectar and pollen.
  • Actively managing a site or parts of a site for biodiversity by reducing mowing to once, twice or 3 times per year – this allows natural recovery of the grassland areas and increase species diversity, maximising the impact on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience:
    • Mow at a low height once per year in March
    • Mow at a low height twice per year in March and in August/September
    • Mow at a low height twice per year in March and in August/September plus an additional cut in Mid-July
  • Variety is key to maximise any impact on biodiversity so mowing paths through sites and mowing the edges of footpaths, pavements, signs and around benches etc is beneficial to both wildlife and people.
  • The addition of signage to your sites and spreading awareness can help to demonstrate the aims of the mowing changes and show the potential impact on biodiversity.

For land the Local Authority manages:

  • You can contact your Local Nature Partnership and/or relevant street scene department to request a change of mowing in your ward/area
  • Ask your County Cllr/s to support any request for mowing changes.
  • Ask your residents to support any request for mowing changes.

For Everyone:

Take part in ‘No Mow May’ but extend this into ‘Let It Bloom June’ – May and June are vital months for floral diversity and leaving the wildflowers bloom and grow can support pollinators and other wildlife such as reptiles, amphibians birds and small mammals.

Encourage your local community to get involved in their own gardens and lands.

If you would like to find out more about changing mowing schedules to benefit biodiversity as part of your Biodiversity Action Plan, please get in touch with Rachel Carter to arrange a consultation.

The ‘It’s For Them’ Toolkit

If your Council is managing sites for biodiversity you can download free resources from the Welsh Government’s ‘It’s For Them’ Toolkit

This includes a variety of signage, posters, leaflets, and information board materials that can be customised with your Councils own messages, logos and contact information. You can also download the ’Education resource pack’ for use with local schools or volunteers.

If you need any help or assistance with using these resources, please contact the biodiversity team at One Voice Wales.

There may be funding available for smaller councils to cover the cost of producing ‘It’s For Them’ signage, please contact us for more information.

Wales Nature Week 2025

One Voice Wales is holding events to celebrate Wales Nature Week 2025.

Click on each event below for more information:

A Visit to Meadow Street Community – Pontypridd

7.7.25 @10.30am

Celtic Wildflowers Specialist Wildflower Nursery Tour – Swansea

8.7.25 @10am

Denbighshire Tree and Wildflower Nursery Tour – St Asaph

10.7.25 @10am

If you would like to learn more about Local Places for Nature, or for support for your Community or Town Council with all aspects of Biodiversity, please email Rachel Carter, Local Places for Nature Officer at One Voice Wales, at: [email protected]