Welcome
Celebrating our new national-level recognition as a Naturfa site and as part of the National Forest for Wales – becoming Wales’ first community nature reserve to achieve Naturfa status.
The Naturfa Treasure Trail, Pond dipping, Face Painting, Guided Nature Walks, Live music, Guest Speakers, Book Launch: “From Culm to Calm’ – A History of the Slash Pond”, The official unveilling of the Naturfa Certicate and more!
Broad Haven Volunteers Secure ‘National Asset’ Status for Local Nature Reserve in Welsh First
BROAD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE
A small pocket of Pembrokeshire woodland and former open cast coal mine has officially become a national pioneer for biodiversity. The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve has been named as one of the first sites in Wales to achieve ‘Naturfa’ status, making it the first community-managed site in the country to receive this prestigious recognition.
The status, confirmed by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, recognizes the site as an “Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure” (OECM). This means the volunteer-led efforts of the Support the Boardwalk group in Broad Haven are now officially counted toward Wales’ ambitious 30×30 goal: the global commitment to protect 30% of land, freshwater, and sea for nature by 2030.
In a double-status win for the community, the reserve has also been integrated into the National Forest for Wales designation, recognizing its role in creating a resilient network of woodlands and ecosystems across the nation.
Building on its history as a cherished local walkway, the Slash Pond has evolved into a recognized biodiversity powerhouse. Today, it provides a vital sanctuary for:
- Critically endangered European eels.
- Otters
- 10 distinct species of bats.
- A rich array of birdlife (more than 50 species), moths and a healthy diversity of aquatic flora and fauna.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister, said:
“These special places are a testament to the care and dedication given by people working on the ground – securing a legacy for the next generation. Nature can only thrive where habitats are resilient, protected and effectively managed.”
The new status is expected to open doors for significant future funding. The Naturfa recognition provides the scientific gold standard needed to pursue the funding required for the next phase of the site’s management plan, including the long-term maintenance of the iconic boardwalk, biodiversity and water quality monitoring, new informational/interpretative signage, and environmental education activities with Broad Haven Primary School and the Havens community.
“We’ve always known how special the Slash Pond is, but this puts us on the map as a national asset,” says Andy Drumm, STB volunteer. “This isn’t just a win for the environment; it’s a tribute to the years of hard work by our volunteers. It proves that local communities are leading the way in addressing the global nature crisis.”
The community will celebrate this landmark achievement with a Spring Family Fun Day on 9 May (1.00 – 4.00pm) in the Slash Pond car park, featuring a nature treasure trail, music, guided nature walks, pond dipping for aquatic life, guest speakers, and much more. To mark this historic milestone, the entire community is invited to the Slash Pond Spring Celebration this May. The event is designed as a thank you to the residents and volunteers who have championed the reserve for years and a recognition of the Havens Community Council’s commitment to nature recovery through its Biodiversity Enhancement Action Plan.
The day will transform the boardwalk into a festival of nature and community spirit, featuring:
- The Naturfa Treasure Trail: A family-friendly discovery route around the pond to spot the plants and animals that call the Splash Pond home.
- Live local music
- Family Fun: Face painting and interactive nature crafts for the next generation of Eco-Champions.
- The big launch: The official unveiling of the Naturfa Certificate and the new Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve branding.
- Book Launch “From Culm to Calm’ – A History of the Slash Pond’’ by local author David Meanwell.
“This achievement belongs to every person in Broad Haven who has walked these boards, supported our fundraisers, or helped us clear a path,” says Karen Riggs, long-time STB volunteer. “We aren’t just celebrating a new title; we’re celebrating the fact that our village is now leading the way for nature recovery in Wales. We want everyone to come down and feel proud of what we’ve built together.”
The event will also serve as a launchpad for the reserve’s future, with the inauguration of two new benches for the observation decks and the launch of a new floating island which will serve as a refuge for wildfowl, herons and other birds as well as opportunities for residents to provide feedback on plans for the improved picnic area designed to withstand local flooding.
Notes to editors
- About Naturfa: A Welsh Government programme recognizing areas outside of traditional “Protected Areas” (like SSSIs) that are managed long-term in ways that deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity.
- About the Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve: Managed by the ‘Support the Boardwalk’ group in collaboration with The Havens Community Council, the site is a vital woodland and wetland habitat in Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, maintained entirely by local volunteers
- Media cont
- High-res images/video footage: Available upon request (including images of the bat, bird and otter habitats, and the volunteer team).
- Facebook page: www.facebook.com/supporttheboardwalk
- Web Page: www.supporttheboardwalk.co.uk
The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve is a an area of woodland, wetland around a large pond, that was formerly an open cast culm (a type of coal) mine. This green oasis and biodiversity hotspot is snuggled away just meters from the sea front in the very heart of Broad Haven. The Pond sustains the now critically endangered eel, sticklebacks, a great diversity of birds (50 species and counting), visiting otters, badgers and 10 (ten!) species of bat. The willow-dominated woodland around the pond is also a priority habitat and in 2026, The Reserve achieved National Forest for Wales member status.
“Support The Boardwalk” is a group of enthusiastic volunteers from the Havens community who began in 2015 with the objective of maintaining access to the Slash Pond and surrounding woodland by fundraising to restore a 275m long boardwalk that had been established by visionary community members and supporters, which had fallen into disrepair. STB was extremely successful in mobilizing community support, including from the landowners Messrs. R & R Raymond and the Havens Community Council (HCC) and funding to build a fantastic boardwalk, viewing decks, bird hides and a picnic area which is dearly loved by The Havens community and by visitors from near and far. STB volunteers continue to complete repairs, convene community TLC sessions, run regular environmental education events with Broad Haven school and carry out citizen science projects including monitoring water quality in the Slash Pond and the adjacent streams as well as monitoring wildlife and habitat health.
We don’t do it alone – many others contribute in different ways, including the Havens Community Council, the local school, church and playgroup, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre (WWBIC), The County Recorders group, Penmbrokshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (MSAC) and a host of volunteers from the community and beyond – thank you to everyone!
We welcome new volunteers and supporters: Drop us a line at boardwalkgang@gmail.com and visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/supporttheboardwalk
More information
Located in Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, West Wales:
An alternative to the traditional Broad Haven beach walk, the Slash Pond Boardwalk offers sheltered seclusion! Over 275 metres of non-slip, paw friendly decking walkway, surrounding a serene pond in a habitat that supports a wildflower meadow, a picnic area, willow dens, bug houses and bat & bird nesting boxes. If you stay in the Havens – a visit is a must 🙂
It truly offers something for everybody!
…Reedbeds and meadow grassland, surround the calm water. Rest awhile and admire the lilies & the view over the Slash Pond …an excellent vantage point to watch the birds flying over the water. Listen to the house sparrows chattering & willow warblers singing…
The area offers a circular route of approximately 1/2 a mile, which is accessible to mobility scooters, wheelchairs & pushchairs.
LOCATION: The Slash Pond Boardwalk and surrounding habitat can be found using postcode SA62 3JU.
PARKING: This is free at the Trafalgar Terrace car park (with a donation box for local causes). On Broad Haven’s seafront, turn off the main road at the Galleon Inn and head away from the beach. The car park is 1/4 of a mile on the left. Once parked, leave the car park, turn left, and follow the pavement for 30 yards to the main boardwalk entrance.
DOGS: These are welcome on the boardwalk if on a leash at all times to minimize avoid disturbance of our wildlife. The boardwalk is a safe route to school used by many children, it is imperative that dog mess is picked up, removed and disposed of responsibly. Thank you.
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Support the Boardwalk (STB) is an independent voluntary association established in 2014.
A grant in 2015 from SITA Trust and a donation from the Messrs. R and R Raymond, the landowners in 2016 together enabled the group to refurbish the entire boardwalk with non-slip decking. The pathways leading from the boardwalk to the picnic meadow have also been improved.
This volunteer group is committed to helping to protect, conserve and enhance the Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve in Broad Haven for all responsible visitors for the appreciation of nature.
What?
The work of the group includes:
- Collaboration with the Havens Community Council to fulfil their statutory duty to enhance biodiversity and contribute to nature recovery;
- work parties for practical conservation work on footpaths, signposts, habitat management, water quality and wildlife monitoring;
- fundraising
- monitoring and lobbying on threats to the Reserve
- collaborating in our mission with organisations, including the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, National Forest for Wales, Pembrokeshire Nature Partneship, West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre (WWBIC), Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (MSAC), Keep Wales Tidy, PLANED, PAVs and others
- Diversifying the tourism attractiveness of The Havens beyond the beach by maintaining access to this freshwater and woodland oasis in the heart of Broad Haven;
- helping visitors old and young to understand the natural and historical aspects of the area through interpretative signage and publications.
Who?
Who benefits from the Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve Boardwalk?
- Havens residents and visitors all benefit from improved mental well-being that a visit to the Reserve provides.
- school children and young people from local youth organisations;
- charities or voluntary groups that may partake in outdoor activities;
- users with additional needs, through onsite parking, wheelchair access and sensory areas;
- wildlife – many diverse species of aquatic and terrestrial species including the critically endangered eel, 50+ bird species, 10 bat species, 90+ moth species and even otters all enjoy this protected and managed refuge for nature;
- local businesses.
How?
The group’s objectives include:
- Contribute to the Havens Community Council’s Biodiversity Enhancement Plan;
- Facilitate access, including wheelchair access, for quiet appreciation to this beautiful natural area;
- Raise awareness of the need to conserve, maintain and manage the Reserve’s natural habitats and the facilities that enable access;
- Provide opportunities for volunteers to engage with Reserve management including wildlife and water quality monitoring, raising funds and helping with routine maintenance during our regular volunteer days;
- Carry out and support environmental education by leading guided visits to the Reserve for organized groups, presentations and pond dipping classes with Broad Haven Primary School, maintaining informational and interpretative signage along the boardwalk;
- Enable local school children to walk to school through nature from nearby housing via a safe walkway;
YOUR DONATIONS are received with the greatest of thanks and can be handed in at the Londis Post Office (cheques made payable to “Support The Boardwalk”) – cheques should be made payable to “Support The Boardwalk”. Or you can donate while you visit using our donation box near the Viewing Deck! Thank you.
- Naturfa status
Broad Haven Volunteers Secure ‘National Asset’ Status for Local Nature Reserve in Welsh First. BROAD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE. A small pocket of Pembrokeshire woodland and former open - Spring Celebration 2026Celebrating our new national-level recognition as a Naturfa site and as part of the National Forest for Wales – becoming Wales’ first community nature reserve to