Work in the Tywi River SAC catchment will help prevent riverbank erosion, boost river water quality, and improve livestock management and farm productivity.

Jim Thomas has farmed at Dyffryn Isaf Farm near Llanfynydd with this family for 50 years. His 400-acre sheep farm runs along the Cothi River - a tributary of the River Tywi SAC (Special Area of Conservation).

Jim has recently installed 2.5km (1.5 miles) of riparian fencing on his land as part of  Natural Resources Wales’s (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project.

Riparian strips have been identified as a nature based solution that provide multiple benefits. They can absorb excess nutrients and provide a physical barrier to soil and nutrient runoff from entering rivers, helping to improve water quality downstream.

The fencing will also help Jim shepherd his 500-strong flock of sheep more effectively.

Jim Thomas explains: “In the past our sheep were getting into the gorse along the edges of some fields making routine checks difficult, we also have some wet land which can contribute to fluke and issues with the sheep’s feet.”

“The project had already approached us to install fencing with the purpose of creating riparian strips on the farm, and so we asked them to extend the fencing to create wider buffer strips to cordon off these problem areas.”

“I’m delighted to say the project agreed and we’re now able to save time and labour on daily tasks, improve animal health and increase the biodiversity and shelter on the farm at the same time.”

“Another bonus of doing the fencing is that it helps us to maintain farm and field boundaries. At first I was a bit sceptical about the project but the work has actually made our lives easier and improved the farm business for the future, I’m really pleased with the work and results.”

The fencing work is delivered by Natural Resources Wales’s Four Rivers for LIFE Project and Contractors and is fully funded by the project.

The project aims to work with farmers and land owners to reduce soil, sediment and nutrient runoff from entering rivers. Helping to keep our rivers healthier and improve water quality.

To date, 27 farms have worked with the project with approximately 25km (15 miles) of fencing completed with farms along the SAC Rivers; Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk.

Research shows that fencing and creating riparian strips more than 15 metres wide can reduce the impact of nutrients getting into our rivers by 85%.

Likewise, riparian strips more than six metres wide can reduce sediment getting into our rivers by up to 95%, therefore resulting in better water quality.

Chris Thomas, Four Rivers for LIFE Senior Land Management Officer said: “Reducing soil erosion, filtering nutrients from land, and providing habitat for wildlife, are just a handful of the benefits of riparian strips.

”We are grateful to Jim and his family for working with us and for seeing the advantages to the wider farm business.”

“As a result of Jim’s recommendation to neighbouring farms, we are now working with several farms along the Cothi River and Tywi valley. This is wonderful news for our project and will help us improve the condition of the River Tywi for important fish like Atlantic salmon and lamprey.”

Watch our video showing some of the fencing work we have done along the Teifi River SAC Four Rivers for LIFE - How does fencing help our rivers?  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDga9sRZdmw>

The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.

If you manage land along the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk SAC Rivers and want to learn more, please email 4RiversforLIFE@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk