Anglesey fens benefiting from Devon innovation

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Created: 22 July 2020

Ancient wild fens on Anglesey are being saved from disappearing thanks to the world-leading ingenuity of a Devon company. The wetlands are being restored to how the landscape was hundreds of years ago in a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) project. It is the biggest wetlands restoration project in Wales, and for vital help NRW turned to award-winning Mid Devon firm Loglogic.

Loglogic has the world’s leading reputation for making reed harvesting and wetland management machinery.

Now, equipment built by Loglogic has been deployed for use on the ambitious conservation plan, which aims to promote ecosystem service delivery across more than 1,800 acres (750 hectares) of wetlands.

Loglogic has provided a Softrak ‘cut and collect’ vehicle which can harvest a range of vegetation, working in water up to 14 inches (350 mm) deep and with minimal damage to flora and fauna on the ground over which it travels.

The £100,000 Softrak is one of Loglogic’s best-selling systems and is already used for important conservation work in places such as the Somerset Levels and the Norfolk Broads.

It has been especially designed to have extremely low ground pressure, which allows the vehicle to be used in environmentally sensitive areas and particularly to reach sites previously deemed inaccessible.

Loglogic sales and marketing director Graham Mitchell has just returned to Devon after a stay in Anglesey to train local conservation workers in how to operate and maintain the Softrak system.

Mr Mitchell said: “We were delighted when Natural Resources Wales asked Loglogic to tender for providing equipment they needed to clear invasive vegetation without at the same time destroying the area’s important rare plant life.

“By helping to restore the fens we are also helping to protect endangered wildlife such as the Marsh Fritillary butterfly and the Southern Damselfly, as well as otters, fly orchids, and the Yellowhammer bird.”