Step into the Wild at Fonmon - Fun, Adventure and Learning! 23/12/19

You only have to pick up any newspaper or turn the TV on, to see the latest horror story about

animal extinction, global warming, the list is almost endless!

At Fonmon, Step into the Wild is our contribution to reversing the damage the human race is

doing to our planet. It is not too late, we can reverse much of the damage we have inflicted on

earth and Step in the Wild at Fonmon, will not only enable people from all walks of life re-engage

with nature, but also inspire them to go away and make positive changes themselves, to help us

restore a natural balance.

Step in the Wild takes the Kenson River Valley and surrounding woodland and will, over the

coming years, become a vibrant rewilding project aimed at restoring a diverse landscape

inhabited with native species of animal and plants, some not seen for many years.

Records exist of otters, water voles and river trout in the river, ravens in the woods and rabbits,

hares and a wide range of flowers and invertebrates in the grassland. Sadly, a lot of these have

not been seen for many years at Fonmon.

We are at the start of a very exciting January and hope to take you all with us on this exciting

project.

We have a wide range of projects underway with our partners South and West Wales Nature

Trust, Woodland Trust Wales and Natural Resources Wales, as well as our enthusiastic in house

team of Roy Harris, Ian Nicholas and Alun Taylor.

We aim to integrate Step into the Wild into the whole Fonmon experience. Guests will be able to

enjoy our living history project Step Through Time and at the same time, engage with nature.

Fun learning all in one!

Our aim is that they will leave Fonmon with a hunger to help the environment in their own way.

Step into the Wild - So you have heard the theory, so specifically, what are we doing?

River Restoration Project

The Kenson River, like a lot of rivers, has been straightened. Why does this matter? A straight

river tends to run faster and therefore makes it hard for life to establish. That’s not only mammals

(water voles) but also plants and fish.

What are we doing?

With help of NRW (Natural Resources Wales - Sally is brilliant!), we are putting together a plan

and applying for licenses to re-establish the rivers meandering (winding) original route. We are

using old maps to establish the route. Jenny, our historian, has been behind all the research.

Timescale

It will take a few years but we hope to get there.

What do we aim to end up with?

A slower, meandering river, rich with life that will then spread out and bring the whole estate to

life.

We will keep you in touch here on the website and also on facebook. Watch out in the spring for

lots of exciting upcoming dates!

What else?

Well there is lots!! We will re-establish the river meadows by grazing at lower stock density and

using more traditional welsh breeds.

We will work through closer management, to re-establish wildflowers in these meadows and

where appropriate, harvest and re-sow seed in other areas. The woodland will be brought back

to life and encouraged, to help provide wildlife habitats plus valuable timber for a multitude of

projects around the estate, including our bio fuel boiler that heats the castle. All of this work will

help our immediate environment and also reduce our carbon footprint.

We are also linking up with our neighbours at Porthkerry Park, RMC and neighbouring farms.

For 2021, we are looking at the possibilities of producing wildflower seeds for our sister company

All Things Rural Ltd, one of the UKs largest grass seed, wildflower and environmental crop

wholesalers.

So lots of plans and lots to do!

Step into the Wild

Step into the Wild is all about helping the environment and re-establishing the natural balance.

As a consequence, we will:

• Not be importing materials for tracks and paths. We will work with what we have, like our

forefathers and mothers did! There maybe some mud some days! We sell or lend wellies.

• We will use natural resources from the estate, where we can, ie upgrade items for signs and

information boards or use natural materials - wood, stone etc.

• We will work towards a carbon neutral status. For example a biofuel boiler to heat the

castle using locally produced timber.

• We will work towards reducing waste at all levels.

• We will do all of the above, but not lose focus on fun adventures and learning!

• We won’t be printing trails, leaflet and information sheets. It’s not only bad for the

environment, but costs lots of money which we have to pass on. All the resources are

available on our website. It is mobile friendly and we are lucky to have good phone

reception on most networks (inside the castle, you can use wifi). So maybe before you visit,

download some of the apps we suggest and come armed for a day full of fun, adventure

and learning!

• Food - Yes we do hot snacks, drinks and picnic items but why not bring your own picnic?!

Be like the “Famous Five” and have a proper family adventure. Plenty of local

supermarkets to stock up in—Tesco (Barry and Rhose), Coop (St Athans). Try though, to

reduce the packaging waste! We have lots of shelters and camps around the estate so set

up your own “swallows and amazon” camp and live the dream!

External

Resources

WF

Bats

Trees

Activities

on the

Environment

Internal

Tracks Maps

Quizzes Gallery

What 3 words

Use

Helping the Planet

Fun things you

can do

FAQs

People

ATR and ATW

Resources

External

During your visit, you will see birds, animals, trees, flowers, grasses, lichens, ferns - the list goes

on!

Don’t waste money and resources. Download some of the apps or find your own. A lot of these

are free!

Some suggestions:

Flowers

Ferns

Trees

Mammal

Insects

Butterflies

Grasses

Fish

Bats

For those techno phobes, we also sell books and guides in the shop, ask a ranger or take a

photo and email me nigelford@allthingsruralltd.co.uk. Don’t forget to share on Facebook/

Instagram. Go onto

We also have Explorer back packs. Just leave us a deposit and see what’s inside!

Internal

We have put together these resources to enhance your visit. We haven’t printed thousands,

as it costly to the environment and us. If you want to print and bring them or do them on your

phone/tablet?

Map

Trails - See attached scans (we need to change a bit!)

Gallery - species list and photos attached

What 3 Words Trail

Ok, to start, you need to download the app! (Great to have on your phone. Used a lot by the

emergency services to find lost people!)

Now see the clues below. It’s a fun and easy trail for all the family and most importantly free and

no cost to the environment!

Dino Trail

Help! One of our dinos has run off!

“Ross left you in charge for 5 minutes and look what’s happened! You left the gate open again!

See the clues below to help find the missing dino:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

Spot the following on your way round? Trail

1) River

2) Woodhenge

3) Lake

4) Castle

5) Dinosaur

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Seasonal Trail

Linked to the seasons

We will change with the seasons.

FAQs

1) What do I do if it’s wet? There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.

Wrap up and have an adventure! We sell and loan (small deposit) wet weather gear. We

also have plenty of shelter around the park.

2) Food - we do snacks, drinks and picnics but why not bring your own?

3) How long will I be at Fonmon? All day at least. Maybe you won’t want to leave!

4) Can I get involved? We run a volunteer programme. Why not email Ian

5) How do I share my adventure? Facebook Instagram

6) What do I do if I need a member of staff? Call Email

or see our rangers around the park.

7)

8)

9)

10)

People

Who works here?

Ross

Gaynor

Jenny Alun

Ian

Roy

How can I save the Planet?

Here are some fun and easy things you can do at home or school. If we all do a little something,

it will help. See attached scans.

Fonmon is very special to us but here is a bit about our other businesses. They are also all

about the environment and education. Take a look online for more info.

All Things Wild - www.allthingswild.co.uk

Over 100,000 visitors come every year to our nature centre and dino park. Our aim

is to educate and inspire.

All Things Rural - www.allthingsrural.co.uk

Selling over 2,500 tones of grasses, wildflowers and environmental crops, ATR is one

of the leading UK wholesalers in this specialist area. Every year selling seed to

seed thousands of acres.