A group of volunteers is planning to turn a disused Forestry Commission Wales building in Pembrey near Llanelli into a woodland centre after agreeing a programme of work to look after their local woods.
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) is transforming an office that has been empty for more than three years into a base from where it plans to carry out important conservation work in the surrounding woodlands.
FC Wales gave permission for the BTCV to use the former office after agreeing the Trust’s proposals for trainees and volunteers to undertake work in Penybedd and Pembrey woodlands in Carmarthenshire.
Both Assembly Government-owned woodlands have waymarked trails popular with walkers and the BTCV wants to carry out work on the recreation facilities as well as improving the conservation aspects of the woods.
Pembrey, in particular, is an important wood for butterflies and FC Wales has a joint programme with Butterfly Conservation to create a more welcoming habitat by thinning out trees in to some areas to allow more light and strimming vegetation to create a different age structure.
FC Wales Community Ranger Jonathan Price said, “Having agreed a management programme for the woodlands with the BTCV, we were delighted to allow the Trust to set up a centre in our office which had lain empty for years.
“Woodlands offer great opportunities for community involvement and we look forward to local people getting involved with the Trust’s work to improve these woodlands over the coming years.”
BTCV Cymru Deputy Director Bill Upham said, “The project has ensured that the working partnership between BTCV and Forestry Commission Wales can continue to flourish.
“It will link volunteers from deprived areas in south-west Wales to the fantastic and rich outdoor spaces and give them real experiences in the natural environment.”
