When Jo Porter moved to Rhiw in 2018, she scattered seeds in her neglected field before unpacking boxes, sparking a movement that now encompasses 80 members restoring species-rich grasslands across the Llŷn Peninsula. The network, Dolydd Llŷn, includes lawns, road verges, hay meadows, a golf club, and even graveyards, boosting biodiversity and drought resilience.
From Seeds to Network
The 56-year-old ecologist said: “It started very organically through talking to neighbours. A lot of people have a house with a bit of land, and there’s a desire to do what they can for nature. I began to see how important these patches of land are, no matter how small - there’s so much fragmentation of habitat that every patch counts. They’re stepping stones for wildlife.”
Wales has lost 91% of its species-rich grasslands since WWII due to development and agricultural intensification. On the Llŷn, the loss is likely closer to 99%. This decline means fewer flowers for pollinators, less food for birds, fewer wildlife habitats, and increased drought and flood risk due to the loss of deep, moisture-retaining root structures.
Rescuing a Hidden Meadow
Steve and Flick Kelly in Rhoshirwaun didn’t know they owned one of Llŷn’s last untouched meadows until Jo knocked on their door in 2019. The following day, a farmer was scheduled to spray weedkiller on it. Now their five-acre field serves as a donor site for local seeds. Steve, 72, a retired banker, said: “I was shocked to learn about it, but after thinking about it, not surprised. Now we’re very proud of it. Jo rescued it; it would’ve been destroyed.”
Unploughed wildflower meadows can hold more below-ground carbon than woodlands or agricultural fields. Jo explained: “People immediately think of planting trees, but not restoring grasslands. The rooting system in a meadow is incredible, with some species rooting down two metres. That gives a lot of resilience in the face of climate change or flooding.”
Diversity and Wildlife Benefits
With proper management, grasslands support diverse fungi, rare plants like orchids, and rare birds like choughs. The Llŷn is home to a quarter of Wales’ chough population. The Kellys’ meadow is “noisy” with insects, a stark contrast to the 55% drop in flying insects in Wales (based on number plate counts) and a 78% loss UK-wide in the last 20 years.
The network includes Pwllheli Town Council, which saw rare orchid species return by changing cutting practices, and now hosts a resident otter. Linked patches become crucial “corridors” for wildlife, connecting fragmented landscapes.
New Members and Farming Integration
Mary Robinson of Rhyd-y-clafdy joined because she “longed for the flower-rich meadows of my father’s smallholding when I was growing up in the 60s” and realised mowing was a “waste of time, money and petrol”. She now sees more plant species and a huge abundance of grasshoppers.
Tenant farmer Carwyn Evans at Cwrt Farm worked with Jo to restore fields, finding livestock more robust and requiring fewer medicinal wormers, saving money. He said: “I used to think hay meadows were a waste of time and space, as we just wanted to make as much silage as possible. Now I see how they fit into the bigger picture - every part of the cycle needs looking after because there’s a knock-on effect, for example, pollinators, which are important on the farm. Farming and nature need each other. Without one, you won’t have the other.”
He noted restored meadows stayed green during hot summers while others yellowed. “The hay itself is better for feeding the stock in winter and doesn’t need wrapping in plastic. It isn’t as good for fattening stock as ryegrass, but has good nutritional value.”
Council Support and Wider Impact
Gwynedd Council project manager Arwel Jones said: “[A road verge] is something people see all the time - historically, verges were cut too early, so the flowers didn’t bloom or seed. We’re now trialling different management techniques to increase wider diversity on council-managed land, while encouraging the same practices in towns and villages.” He described Dolydd Llŷn as important “because the land people manage for nature becomes stepping stones that connect landscapes - if everyone does something, it has a collective positive effect.”
Jo Porter is now paid by Gwynedd Council from Welsh government funds. She encourages everyone to learn how to manage meadows via the Plantlife website.
