On 21 June, 29 nature enthusiasts gathered in Porthkerry Park for the Vale of Glamorgan Rewilding Network's inaugural meeting.

The group aim to protect and enhance local wildlife through promoting a process known as 'rewilding'.

Steadily growing into an international movement, rewilding entails restoring an area of land to its natural, uncultivated state by allowing nature to flourish.

Through promoting this concept, the group hope to encourage residents, businesses and landowners across the Vale to create habitats that enable at-risk species to thrive.

They will discourage excessive land management, hold educational sessions and exert pressure on policymakers.

The meeting was held on the longest day of the year at the location of a rewilding success story for the Vale - a section of Porthkerry Park that was once a disused pitch and putt golf course.

Two years ago, the Vale of Glamorgan Council decided against alternative uses and to allow nature to reclaim the site.

Swirling buzzards and vibrant plants provided backdrop to the meeting, which was called by Barry Action For Nature founder Robert Curtis.

"I'm ashamed to live in the most nature depleted country in the planet," Robert said in an introductory speech.

"I think that for us to thrive, we need nature to thrive. And it's great to see so many like-minded people here today.

"It's about changing people's hearts and minds. This isn't about planting trees or acquiring land to let it rewild. It's about educating people and promoting the ethic of rewilding."

The Vale of Glamorgan Council support the project. Deputy Leader Councillor Lis Burnett was present at the meeting and also gave a speech.

"If we don't tackle climate change, then it disrupts the whole food chain," she said. "It's the right thing to do to let as much as we can be natural. All this work goes hand in hand with the work we're doing in the Council.

"I hate it when people use quotes when they're saying things, but one came to mind today: 'Never doubt that a group of committed, thoughtful individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.' (Margaret Mead)

"I think that's so incredibly relevant today. We need to spread the message across the Vale and across Wales."

The meeting attracted budding rewilders from a wide variety backgrounds, ages and locations across the Vale.

Young couple John and Claire were among them.

"I'm an ecologist, so I've always been interested in the environment and think that rewilding is really important," said Claire.

John added, "I work in construction so it would be quite nice to see it implemented in local development - to try and get big projects involved with rewilding."

Many attendees heard about the group's formation via Barry Action for Nature (BAFN), the urban wildlife campaign group.

Local resident and BAFN member Rob says the new group should be about education and encouragement. He hopes people will sacrifice their attachment to neatness and tidiness in favour of allowing nature to recover.

"I've always been interested in the environment and think that rewilding is really important," he said. "Biodiversity is crucial to balancing the planet

"We've got to find where the land is and stop people destroying species. We have to incentivise people to join in."

The group intend to hold regular meetings and elect committee positions.

They are appealing to environment enthusiasts from across the Vale to join.

For more information, email Rob Curtis at [email protected] or phone him on 07855 329942.