30by30 in Wales

Nature is woven into every part of our lives shaping the places we call home, supporting our communities, and helping us stay healthy and well. From rolling hills and farmland to rivers, coastlines and seas, these landscapes are all connected, forming one living system that sustains us all.

When nature thrives, we thrive too. But to keep these places thriving, we need to take action - protecting what we have and restoring nature to resilient levels.

This is something we can only achieve together. It will take people, communities, organisations and land managers all playing their part, because nature recovery is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play.

Achieving 30by30 is about more than simply protecting land, freshwater and sea; it’s about ensuring these places are thriving, resilient, and supporting both nature and people.

To make this happen, we need a network of areas, as set out in the 30by30 Framework for Wales, that reflect the rich variety of habitats and species, are well managed, support natural processes, and can adapt to pressures like climate change, pollution and land use change. In doing so, they can continue to deliver long-term benefits for nature and communities.

This means looking beyond existing protected areas. It involves recognising and supporting other places that are already helping nature recover - or have the potential to do so.

These places, known as Naturfa sites, complement protected areas and help create a stronger, more connected network. One that supports nature recovery at scale and for the long term.

A programme of work is underway across Wales to strengthen the protection, management and recognition of places that contribute to nature recovery. These areas include protected sites and Naturfa sites, helping to build a resilient and connected network of land, freshwater and sea that supports delivery of the 30by30 target.

Areas contributing to Wales' 30by30 target should actively support nature recovery and form part of a resilient ecological network. In practice, they should:

• Support and enhance biodiversity, including important habitats, species and ecosystem functions.
• Contribute to a wider, connected and resilient ecological network across Wales.
• Be effectively managed over the long term to secure lasting outcomes for nature.
• Support ecological connectivity, enabling species and natural processes to move, adapt and recover.
• Be integrated with the surrounding landscape or seascape to reduce pressures and support recovery.
• Be managed in a way that is inclusive and collaborative, involving land managers, communities and partners.
• Deliver benefits for people as well as nature, including climate resilience, clean water, and health and wellbeing.

Together, these site-level contributions build a strong and resilient network of nature-rich places across Wales, supporting nature’s recovery for the long term.

Achieving 30by30 in Wales requires collaboration across Wales. To find out more or get involved, please contact 30x30inwales@gov.wales