Directory of Nature Charities in Powys
Explore our directory of nature charities and environmental organisations working across Powys, including wildlife trusts, river organisations, conservation partnerships, specialist wildlife groups and community-led initiatives. Powys contains an exceptional variety of habitats, from the Cambrian Mountains, peatlands and uplands to river valleys, ancient woodlands, meadows, wetlands and farmed landscapes. Organisations working across the county are involved in habitat restoration, species conservation, river and freshwater protection, woodland management, wildlife recording, nature recovery and practical conservation.
Nature Charities in Powys
Including registered charities, CICs, coalitions, alliances, and related organisations.
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust is the principal wildlife conservation charity for historic Montgomeryshire, now part of Powys. It manages 18 nature reserves covering almost 530 hectares, including woodland, wetland, meadow and upland habitats, and also leads landscape-scale projects such as the Pumlumon Project.
Radnorshire Wildlife Trust works across historic Radnorshire, protecting wildlife and wild places through nature reserves, conservation projects, habitat advice and community engagement. It currently manages 19 nature reserves across Powys, including ancient woodland, bog, heathland, wetland and upland sites.
The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales has an active Brecon area covering historic Brecknockshire, with current conservation work at reserves including Darren Fawr, Coed Dyrysiog, Pwll-y-Wrach and Ystradfawr. Its 2026 programme includes habitat surveys, access improvements and provision of new bat roosting habitat.
A county-wide partnership coordinating nature recovery across Powys. It brings together organisations, communities and individuals to support the Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan, biodiversity projects, funding opportunities and practical action for nature.
The Local Environmental Records Centre for Powys and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, collecting and managing wildlife records and biodiversity information. Its data supports conservation, planning and environmental management, while its recording programme encourages people to document local species.
RSPB Lake Vyrnwy is a major upland nature reserve and conservation estate in north-west Powys. Its moorland, woodland and farmland habitats support species including black grouse, pied flycatchers and other upland birds, with ongoing habitat management and monitoring.
Elan Valley Trust manages much of the 180 km² Elan Estate in partnership with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, with conservation and public access among its core objectives. The estate contains extensive moorland, bog, woodland, rivers and reservoirs, including the 800-hectare Claerwen National Nature Reserve.
A river conservation charity working throughout the Wye and Usk catchments, including their extensive headwaters and tributaries in Powys. Its work covers ecological restoration, habitat improvement, water quality, natural flood management and freshwater biodiversity.
Freshwater Habitats Trust is working in the River Irfon catchment to improve understanding and condition of freshwater habitats and wildlife. The 2023–2026 project includes water-quality and eDNA research, natural flood-management studies and community events.
A community-based conservation charity creating native woodland and restoring biodiversity in the Bannau Brycheiniog and surrounding Powys landscape. Its long-term programme aims to plant one million trees while improving habitat connectivity, natural flood management and the resilience of upland farming landscapes.
A long-established bird group affiliated with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, organising talks, field outings and ornithological activities. It also contributes to bird recording in Montgomeryshire and has a current programme extending into 2027.
A specialist group recording and studying moths throughout Montgomeryshire. It runs regular public recording events, surveys and identification activities, contributing records to the county’s wildlife knowledge and conservation work.
An independent organisation supporting landowners and land managers interested in improving biodiversity across Montgomeryshire. The group shares practical knowledge, skills and experience relating to habitat creation and management and is an associated partner of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.
A long-established natural history organisation surveying and recording the flora and fauna of Montgomeryshire. Its members undertake surveys of nature reserves, SSSIs and other protected sites and share findings that contribute to understanding changes in local biodiversity.
A local bat conservation group promoting the study and protection of bats throughout Montgomeryshire. It organises bat walks and monitoring activities and contributes to the National Bat Monitoring Programme.
A specialist conservation group affiliated with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, supporting the conservation and monitoring of barn owls and their nesting sites throughout Montgomeryshire. Its activities contribute to local bird conservation and recording.
A long-running conservation programme investigating the feasibility of returning Eurasian beavers to Wales. Radnorshire Wildlife Trust has been involved since the project began in 2005, with work including ecological research, feasibility studies and engagement around beaver restoration.
Plantlife has a significant conservation presence in Powys through the Natur am Byth programme and Welsh Marches work. Its projects include conservation of rare bryophytes and habitat management at important sites such as Stanner Rocks, where grazing has been used to improve conditions for threatened mosses.
Butterfly Conservation undertakes recording, monitoring and habitat conservation in Powys, including work on important populations of pearl-bordered fritillary and other threatened species. Its regional work includes the Welsh Marches and sites across the county.
The Canal & River Trust is carrying out ongoing restoration work on the Montgomery Canal in Powys, including creation of new wetland habitat alongside the canal. The 2026 restoration programme includes habitat improvements benefiting rare aquatic plants and wildlife.
The Pumlumon Project, led by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, is a landscape-scale programme covering around 40,000 hectares of the Cambrian Mountains. It works with farmers, foresters and tourism businesses to improve biodiversity, soil health, water quality, carbon storage and the resilience of the upland landscape.