Our job is to make sure the things that make the Wye Valley National Landscape so special are cared for now and for future generations. We do this by working on projects and initiatives with landowners, local communities, visitors and public, private and voluntary organisations to conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty. We also raise awareness of the value of the landscape and the natural and cultural heritage within the Wye Valley National Landscape. We encourage people to learn about the Wye Valley, to visit and enjoy it, helping to improve their health and wellbeing. We also work collaboratively with farmers, landowners, forest owners, rural businesses and local communities to promote sustainable forms of economic and social development.
We operate as a cross-border co-ordinating body, engaging with local communities, landowners and other partners to advise, develop and deliver both smaller localised projects and wider landscape-scale initiatives to achieve the objectives within the AONB Management Plan. As well as leading on a number of projects we are also involved in other partnerships that relate to the Wye Valley, including:
The Wye Valley National Landscapes Team is based in Hadnock Road, Monmouth. The team currently comprises a number of full-time core posts and temporary project-funded posts:
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We report to the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and are employed on behalf of the Wye Valley National Landscape Partnership by the local authorities, Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council and Forest of Dean District Council. The Wye Catchment Advisor is employed by the Wye & Usk Foundation.
The Wye Valley National Landscape Team operates to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults involved as visitors and as participants in all of our activities. If you have any concerns please let us know, either in person or via email.
The core budget for the National Landscape Team is approximately £350,000 per annum. This consists of grant aid from DEFRA and Welsh Government with match funding contributions from Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Herefordshire Council and Monmouthshire County Council (these organisations also constitute the Wye Valley National Landscape Steering Group). Herefordshire Council is the treasurer for the National Landscape Team.
We also bid for additional funding for specific projects and initiatives from a variety of other sources. For example, from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Environment Agency and various Lottery funds. In the past we have secured: Big Lottery Fund support for the mindSCAPE project, Visit Wales and the Arts Councils of England and Wales supported our Wye Valley River Festivals, the Heritage Lottery Fund provided £1.9m towards the £3.1m Overlooking the Wye Landscape Partnership Scheme and the Welsh Government has provided funding for a number of green infrastructure and carbon reduction projects though their Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places (SLSP) programme.