Our projects

Sustainable Development Fund (SDF)

We administer this super grant scheme which local organisations, volunteer groups and individuals can apply to for project funding (Wales only). We’d love to hear from you if you have a project idea.

The SDF is Welsh Government-funded, but we do have a separate AONB Fund for the English part of the AONB. So if you have an idea for a project that will help conserve or enhance our landscape and natural beauty, and/or enjoyment and appreciation of it, do get in touch. We may be able to help you develop your proposal, find funding or partners to help to turn your ideas into reality.

Wye Valley River Festival

We manage and host this major festival celebrating nature, culture, landscape and life in the Wye Valley AONB. The 2020 festival with its theme of ‘Time’ was completely re-imagined from its usual community event base to almost entirely digital. The festival screened live in September and we will continue to share the extraordinary, beautiful, curious, inspiring, educational, poetic and musical content over the coming months. 

Lower Wye Catchments Project

We’ve adopted a catchment-scale approach to natural flood management (NFM) in this AONB-led project, funded previously by Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency. Working with farmers, landowners and land managers, we are focussing on a number of small catchments in the lower Wye Valley (Welsh and English sides) – the Angidy, Cat Brook, White Brook and Valley Brook – to help our river ecosystems and our local communities become more resilient as our climate becomes more wet and stormy.

Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative

We are working closely with our local communities to stop the spread of three invasive plant species Japanese Knotweed, American Skunk Cabbage and Himalayan Balsam, which can do so much damage to our fragile ecosystems.

‘Documenting Now’

This project captures people’s feelings, fears and hopes as they live through the pandemic in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Monmouth-based photographer and film maker Emma Drabble has been documenting the impact of Covid-19 on rural lives and businesses, revealing an incredible web of human spirit in the face of adversity.

Ross Riverside Enhancements 

In partnership with Ross Town Council, working to enhance the riverbank and amenity grassland for wildlife and people in Ross-on-Wye.

Youth Rangers

Giving young people (14-18 year olds) experience of a range of activities in the landscape of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. This year we’re not able to meet up so we have taken our Youth Ranger activities online.

Wye Valley AONB Volunteers

With a regular programme undertaking conservation and enhancement tasks – currently awaiting the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

Wye Valley Walk

We co-ordinate the Wye Valley Walk Partnership that looks after this wonderful 136-mile long-distance trail, and we also look after the series of fabulous easy-access walks found along the trail and manage the Cicerone guide and passport. We are hoping to revitalise the trail and guide in 2021-22.

The Farming Awards 

Our Farming Award recognises farmers and landowners who make an outstanding contribution to conserving and enhancing the landscape of the AONB.

Riparian Tree Project – currently under development.

We’ve just received funding to run a short riparian tree management project and will be working with landowners, including Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, on the main river and sub-catchments to raise awareness of the importance of and techniques in riparian tree management.