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Yr Ardal Natur

This woodland within College Park, located at the base of Â鶹Íø Main Arts building, has undergone an exciting transformation, restoring and supporting a vibrant ecosystem, providing somewhere for nature and people to coexist. This area witnessed significant activity, with over 1,500 native trees & shrubs and around 15,000 bulbs planted to improve the diversity and structure of the woodland, ensuring that different layers – canopy, understory, shrub and ground flora – are well balanced.

The planting phase was completed in 2024 and now it’s time to step back and allow nature to take its course. Whilst you are reading this signpost the woodland is maturing, and we can observe the emergence of new habitats and hopefully find species of animal, plants and fungi that are recent arrivals. As with all ecosystems, this woodland is in constant flux, with some species prospering while others decline in number, or even disappear altogether. This is part of the natural process.

Efforts have also been made to provide shelter and homes for animals. Bird houses and bat boxes have been installed, as well as hibernacula, to support a wider variety of living things, enhancing the overall biodiversity of the area.

The paths in and around the woodland provide great access for us to see and enjoy nature.Yr Ardal Natur provides a ‘go-to-place’ in the heart of our city for us all to enjoy, a great resource for teaching, learning, volunteering, and for everyone.

	Troglodytes Wren: Constantly on the move in the undergrowth, wrens thrive in woodland edges and thickets dining on insects, seeds, and berries.
Quercus petraea Sessile Oak: A branch of a sessile oak hangs heavily in the woodland, its deeply lobed leaves and bountiful acorns showcasing nature's enduring strength and beauty.
	Pipistrellus pipistrellus Common Pipistrelle: A common pipistrelle bat in mid-flight at dusk, its tiny silhouette gracefully navigating through the woodland in search of insects.
Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush: A mistle thrush perched gracefully on a branch, its speckled markings blending beautifully with the woodland backdrop.