Working with farmers on the llyn peninsula

The Llyn Peninsula is an area full of agricultural heritage which continues to this day. The North Wales Rivers Trust is now working to partner with local farmers on the Llyn to safeguard its waterways. Our current focus is on tackling excessive poaching which is riverbank erosion caused by livestock repeatedly entering the river along the Afon Soch.

Example of poached bank on one of the farms

We have been working closely with three farms which have allowed the Trust to begin installing fencing to keep livestock away from the riverbanks, allowing vegetation to regrow and stabilise the soil. While farmers often voice concerns about losing land and ensuring their animals have access to water, the Trust has practical solutions. We are setting up troughs powered by solar or livestock-driven pumps, ensuring a steady water supply without requiring animals to wade into the river.

Newly created buffer zone

In many cases, the fenced-off areas are uneven, severely eroded, and pose risks to livestock, so farmers aren’t losing valuable grazing land. Over time, plant growth in these now protected riparian zones reinforces the riverbanks, helping to prevent further erosion and ultimately saving more land for farming.