Eleven Swansea University work experience students braved the worst weather that Bridgend has to offer to plant over a thousand trees in one day. The students have been undertaking four days of work experience, helping to implement the sustainable management of Bridgend coast under the Dunes 2 Dunes project.
The trees were planted at Sker farm, just inland from Pink Bay in Porthcawl. The trees were planted in a line along a field boundary. This represents a 15 year commitment to grow the trees into a traditional hedgerow. This 250m long new hedge will not only enhance the traditional landscape character of the farmland, it will also be great habitat for insects, small mammals and birds. The hedge will improve biodiversity connectivity, providing a corridor for those insects and animals to cross the farmland.
The students have been doing targeted countryside management at Kenfig National Nature Reserve and the adjoining coastal areas as part of their work experience placement. Taking a break from their studies in the Biology Department of Swansea University they are learning about the practical ways Bridgend County Borough Council manages its National Nature Reserves and enhances the ecology of the coastal zone.
The work placement is just a small part of the Dunes 2 Dunes project, which is a collaboration of organisations, landowners, farmers and golf clubs all working together to sustainably manage the Bridgend Coast. The Dunes 2 Dunes project is funded by the Sustainable Management Scheme, which is supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020.