Wildlife-friendly!

Ystrad signed up to the Countryside Commission for Wales' Tir Gofal scheme in 2001 and committed to maintaining and developing a wide range of natural habitats around the farm. It's hard work and we're forever behind schedule - but it's immensely rewarding: regenerating 14 acres of woodland - trees felled to increase light levels and stock-exluded to allow new life from the forest floor; hedgerow restoration and renovation - double fencing for protection and then a combination of new planting, coppicing and laying to bring fresh, bushy life to our field margins;the creation of new habitats - a streamside corridor rich in wildflowers, water marginal plants and a hunting ground for otters; a new pond - offering plenty to feed the local heron familya species-rich meadow - managed to reduce the fertility of the soil and allow the picturesque return of a wide range of flowering plants and herbs ... not just grass!
And we've just applied for an extension to the agreement in order to do more of the same - including the reinstatement of a farm orchard of old and traditional varieties of fruiting trees and shrubs. Wish us luck!