THE Welsh Assembly Minister for Natural Resources has announced £3million of funds for projects to tackle declining biodiversity and deliver benefits to communities.

The new investment will support 18 projects across Wales. Projects range from work to improve river catchments and marine ecosystems, to peatlands restoration and a community project managing woodland.

A total of nine projects in mid and west Wales have had Nature Fund investment approved, Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant announced last month.

Mr Sargeant said: “We must recognise that our communities, our economy and our environment are closely interlinked. Improving biodiversity is key to sustainable land management. By recognising these links, we can improve our environment and deliver economic and social benefits for Wales. Our investment is directed at achieving the maximum possible long-term benefit.”

The fund is supporting practical actions across Wales to improve biodiversity.

The projects include a £150,000 grant to a project led by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum to create a partnership framework between land managers, business, industry and commerce, government and third sector to reduce emissions to the Milford and Cleddau catchments with improved local environment use for public and biodiversity benefits.

David Jones, of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum said: “As an independent, neutral coastal partnership we are delighted to lead on this project where collaboration is going to be key. We have already worked with a number of partners to develop the project proposal including Natural Resources Wales, D?r Cymru Welsh Water and the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Relevant Authorities Group. We are looking forward to working with a much wider group of stakeholders on this exciting project which could also contribute to the delivery of the Water Framework Directive”.

There is a growing concern over the loss of biodiversity in Pembrokeshire, partly due to changing and intensifying land management practices. The majority of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation features are in unfavourable conservation status and nutrient loading into the Milford Haven Waterway has been identified as a key priority action.

The Minister added: “I have been impressed by the interest the Fund has generated, in particular the response we’ve had on several collaborative farmer-led proposals.

“Considering this level of interest and the willingness of partners to work together, the Deputy Minister and I will be looking to make a further announcement on funding and how the work done by the Nature Fund will become part of the Rural Development Programme.”

The National Trust has been awarded £144,000 for a partnership project on the Castlemartin Peninsula.

The web mapping project is aimed towards the development of a toolkit for organisations and communities to address habitat and biodiversity loss. The project will also improve habitats in the area with a focus on land management works and volunteer and community engagement.

The Future Fisheries Living Seas project, awarded £62,000, will promote low impact fishing practices to help enable species and habitats to recover. It will also encourage fishermen to take a sustainable approach to fishing.

Coed Cymru and Rivers Trust will be working across mid and west Wales, including Pembrokeshire. The collaborative project, working with local landowners, will focus on the farmed landscape within river catchments.