1. Dr Neil Smith Conservation Officer Sites Team - North Region Countryside Council for Wales

2. CCWs remit in terms of the River Dee catchment Features of interest Why do anything about invasive plant species ? How CCW can assist with works to manage the problem of invasive plant species

3. CCWs remit in terms of the River Dee catchment The main river Dee and four tributaries are covered by both a national and international nature conservation designation. Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee) SSSI River Dee and Bala Lake / Afon Dyfrdwy a Llyn Tegid SAC. Wider role in terms of biodiversity, access to the countryside, AONB

5. Features of interest - SAC Special Area of Conservation (SAC): European designation. Atlantic salmon Rivers with floating vegetation often dominated by water-crowfoot Floating water-plantain Otter 3 species of lamprey – sea lamprey, river lamprey and brook lamprey Bullhead

6. Features of interest - SSSI All of the above SAC features. The SSSI feature for the vegetation includes marginal vegetation along the banks. Additional national (SSSI) features of importance include: Saltmarsh, marginal vegetation, Slender Hare's-ear, Sea barley, club-tailed dragonfly, Isogenus nubecula (stonefly) and Baris lepidii (weevil) 3 geomorphological areas – reflecting the fluvial history of the river and exposure of sediments.

7. Why do anything about invasive plant species ? Bank-side vegetation is part of the natural vegetation that we are trying to maintain. Invasive non-native species can be vigorous competitors to the native flora. They replace native flora and may affect native food web. Their die back may lead to bank instability during flood or high water conditions – economic consequences for land owners and statutory authorities. May block or impede access to the river and adjacent areas. etc…..

8. How CCW can assist Provide grant aid to suitable projects that seek to maintain or enhance the features of the site. e.g. Welsh Dee Trust / Afonydd Cymru. Provide consent for positive conservation works. Where positive conservation works are committed to, a small amount of money is available to encourage owners or occupiers to continue those works, through a section 15 management Agreement.

9. Hope that you find today instructive and encouraging. you are not on your own, there are lots of other people out there, trying to do a similar thing to you. You may be able to get help from other organisations. You may be able to help others get started to do the same thing.

10. Dr Neil Smith Swyddog Cadwraeth / Conservation Officer, Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru / Countryside Council for Wales Rhanbarth Gogledd Cymru / North Wales Region Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru / Countryside Council for Wales Glan y Nant, Uned 19 / Glan y Nant, Unit 19. Parc Busnes Yr Wyddgrug / Mold Business Park. Ffordd Wrecsam / Wrexham Road. Yr Wyddgrug / Mold. Sir Y Fflint / Flintshire CH7 1XP Ffôn/Phone: 01352 706600 / Ffacs/Fax: 01352 752346 E-bost/E-mail: n.smith@ccw.gov.uk ( mailto:n.smith@ccw.gov.uk ) Ar y Wê/Web site: http://www.ccw.gov.uk