A North Cardiff Community Park Ranger team is the latest to receive the Green Flag Award, recognising its well-managed green spaces.
The team at Forest Farm Nature Reserve looks after the historic site in Whitchurch, which is home to kingfishers, herons, dragonflies, damselflies, bluebells, wild garlic, and ancient woodland.
Cardiff Council cabinet member Jennifer Burke, said: “Our Community Ranger team have a wealth of environmental conservation experience and alongside some fantastic volunteers, they play a significant role in managing the wealth of different habitats we look after. Their knowledge and passion for nature is second-to-none and I’m delighted that they’ve been recognised with this award.”
The Community Park Ranger team manage a variety of habitats at Forest Farm including wildflower meadows, woodland, hedgerow, wetlands, an orchard, and a new tree nursery area, established as part of Cardiff Council’s mass-tree planting programme, Coed Caerdydd.
They also run events and volunteering opportunities throughout the year.
Senior community park ranger, Liz Birkinshaw, said: “A lot of the team have worked in the role for 20-plus years, which I think shows their passion and dedication for the work they do, but they’re still finding new ways to support nature and pass on their knowledge to new generations.
“For example, they’ve recently introduced new living roofs to the site’s bird-watching hides, purchased electric vehicles to help reduce their carbon emissions, and fitted wildlife and nest box cameras so that footage can be shared on social media.
“They also work with the council’s energy team to run the Radyr Weir Hydro scheme which harnesses the power of the River Taff to produce green energy, and recently introduced new women-only engagement sessions to a disability support group to help address an imbalance in the number of female participants, compared to male participants.”
Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator for Keep Wales Tidy, said: “The Community Park Ranger team receiving this award is testament to the hard work of all staff and volunteers involved at Forest Farm, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this additional recognition which accompanies their Green Flag award. We want to congratulate the team on their fantastic achievement.”
For more details about the awards and the winners, visit: https://keepwalestidy.cymru/our-work/awards/green-flag-parks/