Aberbargoed Grasslands will become the country’s first National Nature Reserve (NNR) in an urban setting when it receives its official opening next week.
The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) has agreed the site will officially receive the prestigious designation at a special event on Thursday June 14.
The majority of National Nature Reserves in Wales are based in rural, coastal or upland areas.
Aberbargoed Grasslands is rich in biodiversity and is home to the endangered marsh fritillary butterfly, as well as other valuable wildlife features, including fungi, rich grasslands, ponds and hedgerows.
Cllr Ken James, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The improvements made to the grasslands over recent years have nurtured and encouraged the wildlife at the site. We are delighted that the site will be declared a National Nature Reserve, as it will enable us to further enhance the habitat and increase opportunities for the community to enjoy this important green space.”
A special celebration of the Grasslands is planned for Thursday June 14, during Wales Biodiversity Week, with a butterfly parade involving local schools and communities.
The Countryside Council for Wales has invited John Griffiths, the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development at the Welsh Government to launch the National Nature Reserve on the day.
The butterfly parade will start at 1.30pm from Aberbargoed Primary School and will involve pupils from Aberbargoed and Markham Primary Schools, Ysgol Bro Sannan and Heolddu Comprehensive school some will be dressed as insects accompanied by a samba band. The official launch will take place at 2.15pm on the sports field at Ty Fry Road Aberbargoed which is next to the site.
A road closure will be in place on Commercial Street Aberbargoed from 1.20pm to 2pm to accommodate the parade.
There will also be an evening celebration for the local community on the sports field from 4.30pm to 7.30pm which will feature a variety of activities, stalls and displays, promoting local wildlife and community groups who have had involvement with the National Nature Reserve.
It would have been nice for us Bargoed exiles if you had published a map showing the exact location. Who knows, we might actually go there, if only we knew where in Aberbargoed it actually was. Contrary to popular belief, Aberbargoed is actually much larger than some people appear to believe, and when you are trying to find somewhere, the ‘locals’ rarely know where it is.