Protection For Special Grasslands

Natural Resources Wales’s work to conserve nationally important grasslands took a step forward this week. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dinas Brân’s geological features are well known and have been protected since 1957. Now, the area’s grasslands and plant life have received national recognition too. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Richard May, NRW Conservation Officer said: “Dinas Brân is hugely popular with walkers, attracting thousands of people a year to visit the Iron Age hillfort and mediaeval castle set in a spectacular landscape. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The grasslands found here are scarce in lowland Britain and Dinas Brân has the second largest area in Wales of one type of acid grassland. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Rare plants found here include the Upright chickweed, Shepherd’s cress and Greater broomrape and important species of birds and butterflies also rely on the grassland and other habitats. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“By working in partnership with landowners, we look forward to helping to manage the site’s special features so that we and future generations can continue to enjoy Dinas Brân’s rich natural and historical heritage.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​