Saving species in the River Irfon catchment: my time at Freshwater Habitats Trust
29th October 2025
Kirsty Allwood joined Freshwater Habitats Trust as a Graduate Trainee before being promoted to Habitats and Species Officer. As she prepares to start a new job, Kirsty reflects on what she has learned in her time working on the River Irfon Catchment Project in mid Wales.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I grew up in a small village in rural mid Wales, in a community largely focused on farming — particularly sheep farming. Having spent my whole life in Wales, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for Welsh nature and a strong enthusiasm for protecting our environment.
I graduated from Aberystwyth University in September 2024, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Plant Biology and a Master of Research in Biosciences. During my master’s, I was fortunate to be awarded Best Performance for my work investigating the remediation potential of duckweed as a method to clean polluted waters — a project that explored sustainable solutions within a circular economy framework.
When I first went to university, I had planned to study Zoology with a focus on animal conservation. However, during my first few weeks at Aberystwyth, I realised I was far more interested in plants. I became fascinated by the fact that plants form the foundation of most habitats, supporting entire ecosystems — and that discovery really shaped the direction of my studies and career ambitions.
Where did your interest in wildlife and conservation came from?
I’ve always loved animals, and growing up in rural mid Wales really deepened my interest in wildlife and nature, as I was surrounded by it all the time. From a young age, I was fascinated by every animal, especially fluffy mammals, and I knew I wanted a career working with them.
As I got older, I began to realise that caring for animals also means caring for their habitats. Without healthy ecosystems, there’s nowhere for wildlife to thrive. That understanding shifted my focus from just loving animals to wanting to protect the environments they depend on.
I still remember how excited I was at school when we brought frog spawn into the classroom and watched it develop from tadpoles into frogs and toads. That experience really sparked my curiosity about how wonderfully complex and weird nature can be.
These early experiences have shaped my passion for sustainability, not just in agriculture but across all sectors. They’ve also inspired me to promote awareness and education around nature-friendly farming and sustainable business practices.
What attracted you to FHT and the graduate trainee role?
While I really enjoyed my previous role as a Research Assistant, where I carried out scientific research on cleaning polluted waters through phytoremediation, I found that it can often take years before you see the practical results of your work. This made me realise that I wanted to gain more hands-on experience — to be out in the landscape, directly implementing conservation methods and sustainable practices.
Having previously worked with polluted watercourses, the graduate scheme with Freshwater Habitats Trust’s River Irfon Catchment Project immediately caught my attention, as it offered the opportunity to apply practical management tools to prevent pollution and protect valuable habitats.
The chance to work on a Welsh river that supports one of the last Freshwater Pearl Mussel populations was especially exciting to me, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my job.
What have you been involved with in your time with Freshwater Habitats Trust?
I’ve been very fortunate that my role has evolved significantly over my time with Freshwater Habitats Trust. I initially started as a trainee but, within the first few months, I was offered the opportunity to step up into the position of Habitat and Species Officer. This new role allowed me to take on greater responsibility and become more involved in delivering capital works across the project area.
During my time as a trainee, I was heavily involved in the GroWet initiative, where we harvested local wild plant seeds and worked with communities to grow and plant them. Community engagement has also been a major and enjoyable part of the project. I’ve really valued getting to know local communities and involving them directly in conservation activities. As I transitioned into my new role, I became responsible for delivering capital works focused on habitat creation, habitat protection, and point source pollution prevention.
Throughout the project, I’ve helped to create a variety of habitats— including ponds, wetlands, and riparian zones — within the Irfon catchment and have carried out surveys on SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and lowland fens to help improve the condition of these important ecosystems.
A key part of my role has involved working closely with landowners and tenant farmers across the catchment to understand their farming practices and have open, practical conversations about how nature-friendly management can also benefit their farming systems.
The main focus of the project, however, is the conservation of the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, so I’ve spent a large amount of time assessing river habitat suitability and implementing measures to reduce pollution — particularly sedimentation, which is a significant challenge for many UK rivers.
What has been the most challenging part of the job?
The most challenging part of the job has been the uncertainty surrounding the new Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme following the end of the Glastir scheme at the end of 2023. These schemes are important tools for encouraging landowners and farmers to create and maintain habitats, as they allow farmers to meet the universal requirements while opting into higher tiers for additional benefits. The uncertainty about which habitats will be included in each tier made it more difficult to persuade landowners to dedicate specific areas of their land to nature conservation.
What has been the most enjoyable part of the job?
I’ve really enjoyed how varied my day-to-day work has been. One of the highlights has been working closely with Geraint Watkins, River Irfon Project Manager, to implement native breed cattle grazing across a range of habitats. We’ve been using cattle collars on Belted Galloways and Dexters to monitor grazing patterns and enable selective grazing on several wetland SSSIs.
We’ve also provided collars to farmers in the catchment who are interested in trialling this innovative management tool. The aim is to encourage the reintroduction of native breed cattle to reduce the dominance of Moor Grass (Molinia), which is a major issue in many habitats across the catchment. In addition, we have even trialled goat collars with an enthusiastic local farmer, adding another exciting dimension to habitat management.
What have you learned during your time with Freshwater Habitats Trust?
Working for Freshwater Habitats Trust has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of ponds in increasing biodiversity across a landscape. The UK has lost a significant number of its ponds, and many of those that remain are in poor condition. Creating new ponds is therefore an incredibly effective way to boost biodiversity, as two-thirds of all freshwater species can be found in ponds.
I have also gained extensive knowledge about different sources of point source pollution and practical ways to mitigate them. Additionally, I have developed a strong understanding of conservation grazing, including the benefits of different species and breeds in shaping habitat outcomes.
What do you think you will take with you and use in your future career?
Working on the River Irfon Catchment Project made me realise the importance of working collaboratively with communities, landowners, and stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes in conservation. During my time at Freshwater Habitats Trust, I worked closely with a range of individuals, communities and stakeholders who share similar goals, leading to collaborative projects that were more impactful than any individual effort.
One example of a successful collaborative project was with the NRW Upper Wye Restoration Project. Together, we fenced off a large area of river riparian zone near existing Freshwater Pearl Mussel beds to increase bank stability, reduce sediment load from eroding banks, and provided alternative water sources for livestock. We also created scrapes along the low-lying floodplain, excluded sheep grazing from this area, and implemented seasonal native breed cattle grazing to promote species-rich floodplain grassland. This approach benefited the farmer by making it easier to monitor their flock and reducing the risk of losing sheep or lambs during high flows or flooding.
The collaborative nature of the project enabled us to achieve more than we could have individually. By combining our expertise in wetland creation and river restoration with NRW Upper Wye’s larger capacity for capital delivery and our local connections to the landowner, we were able to deliver a more extensive and effective project that benefited both the environment and the landowner.
I am proud of all the collaborative projects that I have been a part of during my time on the Irfon project, and understanding the value of working together will stay with me throughout my future career.
What is your hope for the future of the River Irfon catchment's freshwater habitats and species?
My hope for the future of the River Irfon catchment is that it becomes a thriving freshwater ecosystem, where both aquatic and terrestrial habitats are healthy, clean, and species-rich. In particular, I hope that the Freshwater Pearl Mussel population can recover and begin recruiting, so it is no longer an aging population. The Irfon is already a beautiful river, surrounded by rich wildlife, and I want to ensure we protect what is already there so that both nature and people can continue to enjoy it. Ongoing habitat restoration, pollution and sediment management, and support for sustainable land management practices will be key to maintaining the Irfon as an outstanding area of freshwater biodiversity.
I am also fortunate to be moving into a role as an Environment Officer for Natural Resources Wales in south Powys, which will allow me to continue working within the Irfon catchment and surrounding valleys. This area is very special to me, and I am excited to continue contributing to the protection and restoration of the River Irfon and its beautiful catchment.
I would like to thank everyone I have met at my year and a half at Freshwater Habitats Trust, to any landowners that got involved in the project and the amazing Irfon team. And lastly, thanks to the Welsh Heritage lottery who made all this possible.
The River Irfon Catchment Project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme and delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Achub rhywogaethau yn nalgylch Afon Irfon: fy amser gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw
Ymunodd Kirsty Allwood â’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw fel Hyfforddai Graddedig cyn cael ei dyrchafu i swydd Swyddog Cynefinoedd a Rhywogaethau. Wrth iddi baratoi i ddechrau swydd newydd, mae Kirsty yn myfyrio ar yr hyn mae wedi’i ddysgu yn ystod ei hamser yn gweithio ar Brosiect Dalgylch Afon Irfon yng nghanolbarth Cymru.
Alli di ddweud ychydig am dy gefndir?
Cefais fy magu mewn pentref bach yng nghefn gwlad canolbarth Cymru, mewn cymuned a oedd yn canolbwyntio’n bennaf ar ffermio — yn enwedig ffermio defaid. Wedi treulio fy holl fywyd yng Nghymru, rwyf wedi datblygu gwerthfawrogiad dwfn o fyd natur y wlad ac angerdd cryf dros amddiffyn ein hamgylchedd.
Graddiais o Brifysgol Aberystwyth ym mis Medi 2024, lle cwblheais fy ngradd israddedig mewn Bioleg Planhigion a Gradd Meistr trwy Ymchwil mewn Biowyddorau. Tra’n astudio ar gyfer fy Ngradd Meistr, cefais y fraint o ennill y Wobr am Berfformiad Gorau am fy ngwaith yn ymchwilio i botensial llinad y dŵr fel dull o lanhau dyfroedd llygredig — prosiect a archwiliodd atebion cynaliadwy o fewn fframwaith economi gylchol.
Pan es i i’r brifysgol gyntaf, roeddwn wedi bwriadu astudio Sŵoleg gyda ffocws ar warchod anifeiliaid. Fodd bynnag, yn ystod yr wythnosau cyntaf yn Aberystwyth, sylweddolais fod gen i lawer mwy o ddiddordeb mewn planhigion. Cefais fy swyno gan y ffaith fod planhigion yn ffurfio sylfaen i’r rhan fwyaf o gynefinoedd, gan gynnal ecosystemau cyfan — ac fe wnaeth y darganfyddiad hwnnw lunio cyfeiriad fy astudiaethau a’m huchelgeisiau gyrfaol.
O ble daeth dy ddiddordeb mewn bywyd gwyllt a chadwraeth?
Dwi wastad wedi caru anifeiliaid, ac mae tyfu i fyny yng nghefn gwlad canolbarth Cymru wedi dwysáu fy niddordeb mewn bywyd gwyllt a natur, gan fy mod wedi fy amgylchynu ganddo drwy’r amser. Ers pan oeddwn i’n ifanc, ro’n i’n cael fy swyno gan bob anifail — yn enwedig mamaliaid blewog — ac ro’n i’n gwybod fy mod eisiau gyrfa yn gweithio gyda nhw.
Wrth i fi dyfu’n hŷn, dechreuais sylweddoli bod gofalu am anifeiliaid hefyd yn golygu gofalu am eu cynefinoedd. Heb ecosystemau iach, does dim lle i fywyd gwyllt ffynnu. Newidiodd y ddealltwriaeth honno fy ffocws o ddim ond caru anifeiliaid i fod eisiau amddiffyn yr amgylcheddau maen nhw’n dibynnu arnyn nhw.
Dwi’n dal i gofio cymaint ro’n i wedi cyffroi yn yr ysgol pan ddaethon ni â grifft llyffant i mewn i’r dosbarth a’i wylio’n datblygu o benbyliaid i frogaod a llyffantod. Sbardunodd y profiad hwnnw fy chwilfrydedd yng nghymhlethdod a rhyfeddod byd natur.
Mae’r profiadau cynnar hynny wedi llunio fy angerdd dros gynaliadwyedd — nid yn unig mewn amaethyddiaeth ond ar draws pob sector. Maen nhw hefyd wedi fy ysbrydoli i hyrwyddo ymwybyddiaeth ac addysg yn ymwneud â ffermio sy’n gyfeillgar i natur ac arferion busnes cynaliadwy.
Beth wnaeth dy ddenu di at yr Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw a’r rôl hyfforddai graddedig?
Er fy mod i wir wedi mwynhau fy swydd flaenorol fel Cynorthwyydd Ymchwil, lle ro’n i’n gwneud ymchwil wyddonol ar lanhau dyfroedd llygredig trwy ffytoleddfu, fe sylweddolais ei bod yn gallu cymryd blynyddoedd cyn i ti weld canlyniadau ymarferol dy waith. Gwnaeth hyn i fi sylweddoli fy mod eisiau mwy o brofiad ymarferol — bod allan yn y tirwedd yn rhoi dulliau cadwraeth a phrosesau cynaliadwy ar waith yn uniongyrchol.
Gan fy mod wedi gweithio gyda dyfrffosydd llygredig o’r blaen, fe ddaliodd cynllun graddedigion yr Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw ar Brosiect Dalgylch Afon Irfon fy sylw ar unwaith, gan ei fod yn cynnig cyfle i ddefnyddio dulliau rheoli ymarferol i atal llygredd ac amddiffyn cynefinoedd gwerthfawr.
Ro’n i’n gyffrous iawn am y cyfle i weithio ar afon yng Nghymru sy’n cynnal un o’r poblogaethau olaf o Fisglod Perlog Dŵr Croyw, a dwi wedi mwynhau pob munud yn y swydd.
Beth wyt ti wedi bod ynghlwm ag ef yn ystod dy gyfnod gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw?
Dwi wedi bod yn lwcus iawn bod fy rôl wedi newid ac esblygu’n sylweddol yn ystod fy amser gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Dŵr Croyw. Dechreuais fel hyfforddai, ond o fewn y misoedd cyntaf cefais y cyfle i gamu i fyny i swydd Swyddog Cynefinoedd a Rhywogaethau. Roedd y rôl newydd hon yn golygu bod modd i fi gymryd mwy o gyfrifoldeb a chwarae mwy o ran wrth gyflawni gwaith cyfalaf ar draws ardal y prosiect.
Yn ystod fy amser fel hyfforddai, ro’n i’n rhan fawr o’r fenter GroWet, lle ro’n ni’n casglu hadau planhigion gwyllt lleol ac yn gweithio gyda chymunedau i’w tyfu a’u plannu. Mae cynnwys y gymuned wedi bod yn rhan fawr a phleserus iawn o’r prosiect. Dwi wir wedi mwynhau dod i adnabod cymunedau lleol a’u cynnwys nhw’n uniongyrchol mewn gweithgareddau cadwraeth.
Wrth i fi symud i’r rôl newydd, fi oedd yn gyfrifol am gyflawni gwaith cyfalaf yn canolbwyntio ar greu cynefinoedd, eu diogelu, ac atal llygredd o ffynonellau penodol.
Trwy gydol y prosiect, dwi wedi helpu i greu amrywiaeth o gynefinoedd — gan gynnwys pyllau, gwlypdiroedd, a pharthau glân afon — o fewn dalgylch yr Irfon, ac wedi cynnal arolygon ar Ardaloedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig (SSSI) a rhostiroedd iseldir i helpu gwella cyflwr yr ecosystemau pwysig yma.
Roedd rhan allweddol o’r rôl yn cynnwys gweithio’n agos gyda pherchnogion tir a ffermwyr tenant ar draws y dalgylch i ddeall eu dulliau ffermio ac i gael sgyrsiau agored ac ymarferol am sut gall rheolaeth sy’n gyfeillgar i fyd natur hefyd fod o fudd i’w systemau ffermio nhw.
Fodd bynnag, prif ffocws y prosiect yw cadwraeth y Misglod Perlog Dŵr Croyw, felly dwi wedi treulio llawer o amser yn asesu addasrwydd cynefinoedd afonydd ac yn gweithredu mesurau i leihau llygredd — yn enwedig gwaddodi, sy’n her fawr i lawer o afonydd yn y DU.
Beth oedd rhan anoddaf y swydd i ti?
Y rhan anoddaf o’r swydd oedd y diffyg sicrwydd o ran Cynllun Ffermio Cynaliadwy newydd Llywodraeth Cymru, ar ôl i’r cynllun Glastir ddod i ben ar ddiwedd 2023. Mae’r cynlluniau yma’n arfau pwysig i annog perchnogion tir a ffermwyr i greu a chynnal cynefinoedd, gan eu bod yn galluogi ffermwyr i fodloni’r gofynion cyffredinol tra’n manteisio ar haenau uwch ar gyfer buddion ychwanegol.
Roedd y diffyg eglurder ynghylch pa gynefinoedd fyddai’n cael eu cynnwys ym mhob haen yn ei gwneud yn anoddach i berswadio perchnogion tir i neilltuo rhannau penodol o’u tir ar gyfer cadwraeth natur.
Beth oedd rhan fwyaf pleserus y swydd i ti?
Dwi wir wedi mwynhau pa mor amrywiol oedd fy ngwaith o ddydd i ddydd. Un o’r uchafbwyntiau oedd cael gweithio’n agos gyda Geraint Watkins, Rheolwr Prosiect Afon Irfon, i weithredu pori gan wartheg bridiau brodorol ar draws amrywiaeth o gynefinoedd. Ro’n ni’n defnyddio coleri ar wartheg Belted Galloway a Dexter i fonitro patrymau pori ac i alluogi pori dethol ar sawl gwlyptir mewn Ardaloedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig.
Yn ogystal fe wnaethom ddosbarthu coleri i ffermwyr yn y dalgylch oedd â diddordeb mewn rhoi cynnig ar y dull rheoli arloesol yma. Y nod yw annog ailgyflwyno gwartheg bridiau brodorol i helpu lleihau’r gormodedd o laswellt y gweunydd (Molinea), sy’n broblem fawr mewn llawer o gynefinoedd ar draws y dalgylch. Yn ogystal, ro’n ni hyd yn oed wedi rhoi cynnig ar ddefnyddio coleri ar eifr gyda ffermwr lleol brwdfrydig — gan ychwanegu dimensiwn cyffrous arall i reolaeth cadwraeth.
Beth wyt ti wedi’i ddysgu yn ystod dy amser gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw?
Mae gweithio i’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw wedi rhoi gwerthfawrogiad dyfnach i fi o ba mor bwysig yw pyllau wrth gynyddu bioamrywiaeth ar draws y tirwedd. Mae’r DU wedi colli nifer sylweddol o’i phyllau, ac mae llawer o’r rhai sydd ar ôl mewn cyflwr gwael. Felly, mae creu pyllau newydd yn ffordd hynod effeithiol o hybu bioamrywiaeth, gan fod dwy ran o dair o’r holl rywogaethau dŵr croyw i’w cael mewn pyllau.
Dwi hefyd wedi dysgu llawer am wahanol ffynonellau llygredd o ffynhonnell benodol, a’r dulliau ymarferol i’w lliniaru. Yn ogystal, dwi wedi datblygu dealltwriaeth gref o borfa cadwraeth — gan gynnwys manteision gwahanol rywogaethau a bridiau wrth lunio canlyniadau cynefinoedd.
Beth wyt ti’n meddwl fyddi di’n ei gymryd gyda ti i’w ddefnyddio yn dy yrfa yn y dyfodol?
Mae gweithio ar Brosiect Dalgylch Afon Irfon wedi gwneud i fi sylweddoli pa mor bwysig yw cydweithio gyda chymunedau, perchnogion tir a rhanddeiliaid i sicrhau’r canlyniadau gorau ar gyfer cadwraeth. Yn ystod fy amser gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Cynefinoedd Dŵr Croyw, dwi wedi gweithio’n agos gydag amrywiaeth o unigolion, cymunedau a rhanddeiliaid oedd â nodau tebyg, gan arwain at brosiectau cydweithredol oedd yn fwy effeithiol na gwaith unigol.
Un enghraifft o brosiect cydweithredol llwyddiannus oedd Prosiect Adfer Afon Gwy Uchaf Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru (CNC). Gyda’n gilydd, fe wnaethon ni ffensio ardal fawr o barth glan afon ger gwelyau Misglod Perlog Dŵr Croyw sydd eisoes yn bodoli er mwyn cynyddu sefydlogrwydd y glannau, lleihau llwyth gwaddod o’r glannau sy’n erydu, a darparu ffynonellau dŵr amgen i’r da byw. Fe wnaethon ni hefyd greu crafiadau ar hyd y llain isel o orlifdir, gwahardd pori defaid o’r ardal hon, a gweithredu pori tymhorol gwartheg bridiau brodorol er mwyn hybu glaswelltir llawn rhywogaethau ar y gorlifdir. Roedd y dull cydweithredol hwn o fudd i’r ffermwr hefyd, gan ei wneud yn haws i fonitro’r praidd a lleihau’r risg o golli defaid neu ŵyn yn ystod llif uchel neu lifogydd.
Roedd natur gydweithredol y prosiect yn golygu ein bod ni’n gallu cyflawni mwy nag y byddem wedi gallu ei wneud ar ein pennau ein hunain. Trwy gyfuno ein harbenigedd mewn creu gwlypdiroedd ac adfer afonydd gyda gallu CNC Gwy Uchaf i gyflwyno gwaith cyfalaf ar raddfa fwy, ynghyd â’n cysylltiadau lleol gyda’r perchennog tir, ro’n ni’n gallu cyflwyno prosiect mwy helaeth ac effeithiol oedd o fudd i’r amgylchedd a’r perchennog tir.
Dw i’n falch iawn o’r holl brosiectau cydweithredol ro’n i’n rhan ohonyn nhw yn ystod fy amser ar brosiect yr Irfon, ac mae deall gwerth gweithio gyda’n gilydd yn rhywbeth a fydd yn aros gyda fi trwy gydol fy ngyrfa yn y dyfodol.
Beth yw dy obaith ar gyfer dyfodol cynefinoedd a rhywogaethau dŵr croyw dalgylch Afon Irfon?
Fy ngobaith ar gyfer dyfodol dalgylch Afon Irfon yw ei fod yn dod yn ecosystem dŵr croyw ffyniannus, lle mae cynefinoedd dŵr a thir yn iach, yn lân ac yn llawn rhywogaethau. Yn benodol, dwi’n gobeithio y bydd poblogaeth y Misglod Perlog Dŵr Croyw yn gwella ac yn dechrau atgenhedlu, fel nad yw’n boblogaeth sy’n heneiddio mwyach. Mae’r Irfon eisoes yn afon hardd, wedi’i hamgylchynu gan fywyd gwyllt cyfoethog, ac dwi eisiau sicrhau ein bod ni’n amddiffyn yr hyn sydd eisoes yno fel bod byd natur a phobl yn gallu parhau i’w fwynhau.
Bydd adfer cynefinoedd yn barhaus, rheoli llygredd a gwaddod, a chefnogi dulliau rheoli tir cynaliadwy yn allweddol i gynnal yr Irfon fel ardal arbennig o fioamrywiaeth dŵr croyw.
Dwi hefyd yn ffodus o fod yn symud i swydd fel Swyddog Amgylchedd gyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn ne Powys, sy’n golygu y bydda i’n gallu parhau i weithio o fewn dalgylch yr afon Irfon a’r cymoedd cyfagos. Mae’r ardal hon yn arbennig iawn i fi, a dwi’n gyffrous i barhau i gyfrannu at ddiogelu ac adfer Afon Irfon a’i dalgylch hardd.
Hoffwn ddiolch i bawb dwi wedi cwrdd â nhw yn ystod fy mlwyddyn a hanner gyda’r Ymddiriedolaeth Dŵr Croyw, i unrhyw berchnogion tir wnaeth gymryd rhan yn y prosiect, ac i’r tîm anhygoel ar yr Irfon. Ac yn olaf, diolch i Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol am wneud hyn i gyd yn bosibl.
Mae Prosiect Dalgylch Afon Irfon yn cael ei ariannu gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur ac yn cael ei ddarparu gan y Gronfa Treftadaeth ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru.