Are you interested in fungi, woodland ecology or biodiversity conservation? Would you like to help us study, restore and develop a woodland nature reserve with fungal conservation at its heart?
The Coed Talylan Land Trust is looking for enthusiastic naturalists, ecologists and volunteers to get involved in the Reffwngiwm, our developing fungal nature reserve in Carmarthenshire, on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
The Reffwngiwm encompasses approximately 26 acres of woodland, including areas of ancient woodland that were planted with conifers, alongside remnants of temperate rainforest habitat. Our ambition is to restore and manage this woodland to support a rich diversity of fungi, plants and animals, while developing a better understanding of the ecological relationships that sustain them.
Understanding the Woodland Through Fungi
Fungi are fundamental to woodland ecosystems, yet their diversity and ecological importance are frequently overlooked in conventional conservation management.
Our approach begins with fungi, but extends to the entire woodland ecosystem. We want to understand the relationships between fungi, trees, plants, animals, soils and the many other organisms that make up a functioning woodland.
How do different woodland habitats support fungal diversity? How do fungi influence plant communities, nutrient cycling and woodland regeneration? What habitats and management practices might encourage rare or overlooked species?
These are some of the questions we hope to explore through ecological surveys, practical experiments and long-term monitoring.
A Collaborative Approach to Woodland Conservation
Rather than beginning with a predetermined woodland management plan, we want to develop one collaboratively, drawing upon the knowledge, interests and experience of the people who become involved.
Our aim is to co-design a long-term Biodiversity Action Plan and Woodland Management Plan, identifying conservation priorities, exploring different approaches to habitat restoration and establishing ways to monitor ecological changes over time.
We hope to bring together people with different areas of expertise and interests, creating opportunities to learn from one another and contribute to a shared understanding of the woodland.
How Can You Get Involved?
We welcome people with interests in any aspect of natural history and woodland ecology, including:
- Fungi and mycology: Surveying, identifying and recording fungi, including less-studied groups and their ecological associations.
- Botany and woodland vegetation: Recording plants, bryophytes, lichens and woodland communities.
- Wildlife surveys: Studying birds, mammals, invertebrates and other woodland fauna, particularly their interactions with fungi and woodland habitats.
- Woodland ecology and restoration: Exploring habitat management, natural regeneration, deadwood ecology and approaches to restoring ancient woodland.
- Citizen science and ecological monitoring: Developing survey methods, recording biodiversity, mapping habitats and monitoring changes over time.
- Practical conservation: Helping to create and maintain woodland habitats and undertake restoration activities informed by our ecological surveys.
We are also interested in people who would like to help develop research projects, contribute to species identification, analyse survey findings or participate in discussions about woodland conservation.
Equipment, Resources and Opportunities to Learn
At Coed Talylan, we have already established a range of resources to support biodiversity recording and ecological research.
These include field survey equipment, specimen collection materials, identification guides, field and laboratory microscopes, and facilities for investigating fungi through microscopy and DNA-based identification.
Our ongoing Mushroom Mondays have already brought together people interested in exploring and recording the remarkable fungal diversity of the woodland.
We hope to build upon this activity, extending our surveys throughout the year to include other groups of organisms and creating opportunities for more detailed ecological investigations.
You don’t need to be an expert to participate. We welcome enthusiastic beginners alongside experienced naturalists and researchers. The intention is to create a collaborative environment where people can share skills, develop their knowledge and contribute to meaningful conservation work.
Come Along to One of Our Initial Volunteer Gatherings
We are organising three introductory gatherings in the Reffwngiwm woodland for anyone interested in becoming involved.
Dates:
- Sunday 18 October 2026
- Sunday 1 November 2026
- Sunday 22 November 2026
These gatherings will provide an opportunity to explore the woodland, learn more about the project, meet other interested volunteers and begin discussing ideas for surveys, research and conservation activities.
We will also introduce some of the equipment and resources available and discuss how we might work together to develop a long-term Biodiversity Action Plan for the woodland.
You are welcome to attend one or more of the gatherings, whether you have specialist knowledge or simply an enthusiasm for woodland wildlife and conservation.
Location: Coed Talylan, near Llangadog, Carmarthenshire.
Meeting point: Coed Talylan car park.
Postcode: SA19 9DR
What3words: ///mallets.duke.noun
Please get in touch if you are interested in attending.
Help Us Develop the Reffwngiwm
The Reffwngiwm is a long-term project. Our ambition is not simply to compile species lists, but to use what we discover to inform practical conservation, habitat restoration and the development of a woodland where fungal biodiversity can flourish.
We are particularly keen to hear from people who would like to develop an ongoing involvement with the project, contribute their own ideas and help shape its future direction.
Whether your interest is in identifying mushrooms, surveying woodland plants, studying invertebrates, investigating ecological relationships or developing practical conservation strategies, there is an opportunity to contribute.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Coed Talylan Land Trust and tell us a little about your interests and which gathering you would like to attend.
Together, we hope to develop the Reffwngiwm as a place for collaborative ecological research, learning and fungi-centred woodland conservation.
