An area of land that was at the centre of a illegal tree-felling case is set to become a new haven for wildlife, following a major conservation partnership between two Welsh organisations. The 43-acre site, known as Cartersford, lies at the heart of the Gower National landscape. Once home to a mixed woodland, the site was illegally cleared in 2019, leading to the loss of important habitat and wildlife. In 2022, landowner Thomas Jeffery Lane was convicted at Swansea Magistrates’ Court for breaching the Forestry Act. The court heard how he had felled approximately 21 acres of woodland – equivalent to 12 football pitches – without a license and had failed to comply with an enforcement notice requiring the replanting of trees. National Resources Wales (NRW), which brought the prosecution, described the damage as one of the worst cases of illegal felling in 30 years. However, a brighter future is now on the horizon, as it was announced that The Gower Society has purchased the land and is leasing it to the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales (WTSWW). The Trust will manage the site as a nature reserve, with a long-term plan to restore its ecosystems and protect the species that rely on them. “The Gower Society is delighted to be working closely with The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales in establishing this new nature reserve in the heart of beautiful Gower,” said Malcom Ridge, a trustee and former Chairman of The Gower Society. “It is The Gower Society’s first ever land purchase and is the culmination of 75 years of helping other charities to buy land in Gower for conservation purposes. It is a privilege to share our vision with The Wildlife Trust.” The land which includes meadows, open areas and a stream, is not open to the public but WTSWW ensured that there will be opportunities for people to visit with events and volunteer days. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here The Trust will begin work to restore the lost habitats, focusing initially on grassland restoration and the creation of broadleaf woodland and hedgerows to replace those that were destroyed. The grassland habitats is of particular importance, as over 90% of this type has been lost across Wales since the mid 20th century. The site will be managed primarily for the benefit of wildlife. Paul Thornton, WTSWW Reserves Manager for Swansea , Neath-Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire said: “The opportunities for nature recovery at Cartersford are huge. “We hope that with sensitive management, the land could become an important part of the habitat mosaic on Gower, and offer a refuge for a wide range of important species from wetland plants to insects, breeding birds, and potentially Dormice.” The new reserve is hoped to also improve the ecological connectivity between several nearby nature sites including the Trust’s Gelli Hir and The Elizabeth and Rowe Harding Nature Reserves to Pengwern and Fairwood Common. These habitat links are especially important to species like Dormice, which were recently rediscovered at Gelli Hir. The Cartersford project also supports WTSWW’s long-term goal to help protect and connect 30% of land for nature’s recovery by 2030, in response to the ongoing biodiversity and climate crises.