It began, as many journeys in Wales do, on miles of waterlogged roads, the kind that turn grey only when the morning light finally breaks through the continuous rain. As we crested the hill leading into Cardigan Bay, the rain paused just long enough to unveil the familiar expanse of ocean, shimmering for what looks like forever. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, that view never loses its magic – one of those many moments where I have to remind myself how lucky we are to do this very work at this very time.
We’d been battling the weather for days, but for once, the forecast got it wrong. Wales, where rain feels like an eternal guest, surprised us with a perfectly timed respite. That said, the aftermath of the storms was everywhere: roads veined with floodwater, fields transformed into sodden marshes, and ditches running wild. Despite the chaos, the landscape retained a certain type of rugged beauty—a working countryside of sheep-dotted hillsides and industrial farms. But as we neared Esgair Arth, the jewel of Oxygen Conservation’s Welsh portfolio, the scenery began to shift.
Here, on the edge of Cardigan Bay, a new story is unfolding. The estate feels wetter, wilder, and wonderfully untamed—a messiness that signals nature reclaiming its place. Esgair Arth is not just a landscape; it’s a living, breathing example of landscape-scale restoration, where history’s scars are slowly being healed and the future is being reimagined.
Healing the Past, Nurturing the Future
Years of industrial land use had left their marks: fences and invasive species that suffocated natural wildlife movement and native species growth, and a delicate ecosystem thrown out of balance. Today, those scars are healing and healing quickly. We’ve removed kilometres of fencing, releasing the ancient woodland of the Coed Allt Craig Arth Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) from its shackles. Now, lichen-draped branches rise from the Arth Valley like characters from a Tolkien novel, their earthy forms embodying a mythical beauty, almost scrambling up the hillside now that they’re once again free.
Thanks to the relentless work of our Biodiversity Defender, Rowan and a dedicated community of volunteers, we are gearing up to remove the invasive vegetation along the River Arth, giving native species the space they need to regenerate naturally. There is still work to do with plans for the felling of dominating beech trees crafted in consultation with the incredible collaboration of environmental experts that call this part of Wales home.
This is not just restoration; it’s a partnership—a collaboration between local knowledge and ecological ambition. This model is the heart of what we do. We’re constantly navigating the balance: creating green careers while fostering volunteer opportunities that connect people to the landscapes they call home. Here at Esgair Arth, we’re finding that sweet spot where wildlife, people, and purpose converge, and I’m so proud of Rowan and Lyall that they can craft and share the stories of their special part of Wales.
Walking the former fence lines with Lyall, our wonderful Estate Manager, we hear tales of newly discovered wild service trees—the northernmost examples of this rare species in the UK. The landscape, once silent and abused, hums with life. Field voles dart underfoot while owls swoop low in the early morning light, their silent wings gliding in search of the now plentiful breakfast. The abundance isn’t just noticeable; it’s tangible. This is what regeneration looks like—not in theory, but in movement, sound, temperature, texture, and vitality.
Two Sides of a Conservation Coin
Esgair Arth is a study in contrasts. On one side of the estate, huge amounts of fencing have been removed to let nature take the lead. Here, the SSSI woodland thrives through natural regeneration, each seed and sprout part of a wild, unplanned masterpiece. On the other side, the approach is different. With little natural seed stock and decades of agricultural impact, including pesticides, fertilisers and almost constant compaction – the landscape needed a little more help. More than 100,000 trees have been planted by specialist contractors, each one a promise of a future forest.
The brilliant team at Delta Forest, our partners in this ambitious project, has been crucial here, blending precision and passion to professionalise the tree-planting sector – we need more innovative startups like this, we need an entire ecosystem.
This duality—letting nature lead in some areas while providing a helping hand in others—defines our work. It’s a testament to the flexibility required to Scale Conservation. Each tool, whether a spade, chainsaw or simply plentiful patience, plays a role in the symphony of restoration.
Belonging to the Land
There’s something profoundly grounding about time spent in landscapes like this. On this wild Welsh day, as the rain comes and goes in unpredictable bursts, I’m overcome with gratitude—for the team, for the land, and for the privilege of being part of something so transformative. The work at Esgair Arth is a living, breathing testament to our purpose: creating spaces where people and wildlife not only coexist but truly belong, side by side.
This is the messy, magical soul of conservation. It’s rarely elegant, never easy, and often unpredictable—but it is always worth it. Through the rain and the mud, the victories, both quiet and loud, and the unruly challenges, we are building something enduring, something that connects the past, present, and future in ways only nature can.
As we leave Esgair Arth, the lichen-clad branches stand like ancient sentinels, their forms swaying gently in the wind. It feels as though they’re raising a quiet farewell—whispering, “Thank you and until next time” and then a realisation that those words are actually mine.
Rich Stockdale
CEO