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Trust plans to buy remote valley Trust plans to buy remote valley
(10 minutes later)
A woodland conservation charity plans to raise £865,000 to buy and manage almost an entire valley in Snowdonia.A woodland conservation charity plans to raise £865,000 to buy and manage almost an entire valley in Snowdonia.
The Woodland Trust wants to expand and recreate native woodland across nearly 1,000 acres (405 hectares) in the remote valley of Cwm Mynach.The Woodland Trust wants to expand and recreate native woodland across nearly 1,000 acres (405 hectares) in the remote valley of Cwm Mynach.
The trust said the landowner was selling the site for less than the market value and it was "an amazing opportunity".The trust said the landowner was selling the site for less than the market value and it was "an amazing opportunity".
Conifers would be replaced by native oak, ash and rowan.Conifers would be replaced by native oak, ash and rowan.
Trust spokesperson Rory Francis said it was a matter of urgency as the money needed to be raised by the end of the year.Trust spokesperson Rory Francis said it was a matter of urgency as the money needed to be raised by the end of the year.
"This is a top priority for the Woodland Trust across the UK so we're really hoping we can succeed but it's an amazing mountain to climb," he said."This is a top priority for the Woodland Trust across the UK so we're really hoping we can succeed but it's an amazing mountain to climb," he said.
It's an amazing opportunity and it would be a dreadful shame if we failed to raise the money we need 'Rory Francis, Woodland Trust It's an amazing opportunity and it would be a dreadful shame if we failed to raise the money we need Rory Francis, Woodland Trust
"The Woodland Trust has got nearly a quarter of a million members and supporters across the whole of Britain, people who care passionately about woodland and people who want to help us to make a difference for our native woodland."The Woodland Trust has got nearly a quarter of a million members and supporters across the whole of Britain, people who care passionately about woodland and people who want to help us to make a difference for our native woodland.
"We're really hoping that not just our members but other people as well will respond to help make this possible.""We're really hoping that not just our members but other people as well will respond to help make this possible."
He said the project would be the biggest of its type for the trust outside Scotland.He said the project would be the biggest of its type for the trust outside Scotland.
"It's an amazing opportunity and it would be a dreadful shame if we failed to raise the money we need," he added."It's an amazing opportunity and it would be a dreadful shame if we failed to raise the money we need," he added.
The valley, in Snowdonia National Park, is remote but contains a working sheep farm and once featured manganese, slate and even gold mining. The valley, between Dolgellau and Barmouth in Snowdonia National Park, is remote but contains a working sheep farm and once featured manganese, slate and even gold mining.
Although there are still pockets of oak woodland, most of the valley is covered in conifers.Although there are still pockets of oak woodland, most of the valley is covered in conifers.
The trust's operations manager in Wales, Eryl Roberts, said: "Our long-term aim would be to transform the valley from the mixture of conifers - largely conifers that are planted in the woodland now - and transform that into a mixed woodland.The trust's operations manager in Wales, Eryl Roberts, said: "Our long-term aim would be to transform the valley from the mixture of conifers - largely conifers that are planted in the woodland now - and transform that into a mixed woodland.
The trust is keen to preserve the tranquillity of the valleyThe trust is keen to preserve the tranquillity of the valley
"[We want] a lot more oak woodland, bringing back the oak woodland that would have been in this valley centuries ago.""[We want] a lot more oak woodland, bringing back the oak woodland that would have been in this valley centuries ago."
And while the valley could attract more visitors if the trust's plans are successful, the charity is keen to preserve the peace and quiet it offers.And while the valley could attract more visitors if the trust's plans are successful, the charity is keen to preserve the peace and quiet it offers.
"We would like people to visit the valley but we don't want to make it such a place that the visiting would destroy the tranquillity of the valley which is part of its charm and attractiveness at the moment," said Mr Roberts."We would like people to visit the valley but we don't want to make it such a place that the visiting would destroy the tranquillity of the valley which is part of its charm and attractiveness at the moment," said Mr Roberts.
"We would want to encourage people to come here for a walk, not to bring their cars up here, and just enjoy the quietness of the valley.""We would want to encourage people to come here for a walk, not to bring their cars up here, and just enjoy the quietness of the valley."