National Nature Reserves
this map was generated from data owned by the Countryside Council for Wales
- Allt Rhyd y Groes
- Carmel
- Coedmor
- Cors Caron
- Cors Goch Llanllwch Cors Rheidol
- Corsydd Llangloffan
- Dyfi
- Grassholm Island
- Llyn Eiddwen
- Pengelli Forest
- Ramsey Island
- Rhos LLawr Cwrt
- Skomer Island
- Stackpole
- Ty Canol
The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 enabled the Nature Conservancy Council for England (NCCE), now Natural Englandsignate land as a National Nature Reserve (NNR). In Wales the designating statutory authority is the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).
A NNR is an area that is among the best examples of a particular habitat and is of national importance. The aim of a NNR is to secure protection and appropriate management of the particular habitat and provide a resource for scientific research as well as play a public role. A NNR has the highest level of conservation protection available under UK legislation and has to be managed appropriately to retain its special status.
In the West Wales region there are 16 NNRs and they encompass a variety of habitats. Carmarthenshire has 3 NNRs, Ceredigion has 6 and Pembrokeshire has 7 .
Within a European context, NNRs are also very important. A number of sites are also designated as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the EC Habitats and Species Directive or as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention.