A WILDLIFE ambassador and photographer is taking on a gruelling endurance challenge this weekend to highlight a new project aimed at protecting an important Powys habitat.

Ben Porter is an ambassador for the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) and he loves his role and the scenic area so much he will be running 40 miles of it this weekend in a bid to raise funds for a new trust initiative.

On Saturday (March 25) Ben will be joining forces with his good friend and insect expert Will Hawkes in an attempt to run 65 kilometres across Radnorshire to raise money for the exciting new RWT project: Wilder Pentwyn Farm.

They will start high up in the Cambrian Mountains above Rhayader on Saturday morning, head south via Llandrindod Wells, and finish near Llangunllo.

County Times: Ben and Will are taking on some tough Radnorshire terrain this weekend Ben and Will are taking on some tough Radnorshire terrain this weekend (Image: None)

In October 2021 the trust completed the purchase of a 164-acre farm, Pentwyn, at Llanbister Road, near Llandrindod. This is the largest land purchase the RWT has made for over 15 years and was a big decision as it is the UK’s smallest mainland trust.

Over £900,000 has already been raised towards the project, but there is still a way to go to reach the £1.5 million goal to secure the site and its future habitat restoration work.

“Nature in Wales is under pressure, with countless species in dramatic decline with at least 1 per cent on the verge of extinction,” said Ben on his fundraising page.

“We desperately need to scale up our efforts to reverse this trend; to bring nature back and to restore flourishing ecosystems that are vibrant with life.”

Ben, a RWT ambassador who is also an ecologist and photographer, added: “We're at rock bottom for the state of nature in the UK and it's time to roll up our sleeves and employ as diverse a selection of ways as we can to see the fragments of habitats restored, connected and incorporated into the wider way we use our landscape.”

Pentwyn provides an exciting opportunity to do just this. This area of upland land, nestled into the Welsh Marches in Radnorshire, is set to provide a beacon of hope for nature’s recovery, while incorporating new forms of food growing and a system of extensive grazing, with cattle and perhaps ponies and pigs, to create a mosaic of wildlife-rich habitats where people and nature can thrive.

James Hitchcock, CEO of the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, added: “Most of all we want to see nature increase on the land, draw people in, give them a sense of well-being, moments of wonder and hope. Hope for all our futures.”

The RWT wants to restore nature at Pentwyn, but also want it to be a farm. A new model farm for the future, where nature is the lead crop.

County Times: Ben and Will's 65km route through Radnorshire Ben and Will's 65km route through Radnorshire (Image: None)

There will be cover for shelter and nesting. And food – seeds and insects for birds, and grass and flowers providing nectar and pollen and caterpillar larval food. This cover won’t be removed over winter either.

The RWT originally discussed undertaking regenerative farming, bringing back heritage grains and feed crops, but opted instead for extensive land management, using low numbers of hardy native cattle. With high welfare, low input meat being produced from the stock, as well as vegetables and maybe fruit and nuts produced from the market gardening business, the trust hope it will provide an opportunity for a new entrant to farming.

Ben added: “I'm so excited at the prospect of seeing this site's journey of restoration and I really hope this fundraiser can help play a part in seeing this come to fruition.”

Ben and Will have already raised over £900. If they manage to raise £1,750 through their LocalGiving page then the RWT will receive £250 of match-funding for the Pentwyn project.

If you would like to support the fundraiser for a ‘Wilder Pentwyn’, you can donate at https://localgiving.org/fundraising/runforpentwyn/.