The Gwent Levels is widely recognised and celebrated as a unique place within Wales, for its abundant wildlife, intricate, hand-crafted landscape, and deep, rich history. It forms a thriving part of our natural and cultural heritage, with a powerful sense of place that enriches people’s lives. The Levels is a resilient, working landscape, highly valued by residents and visitors alike, that makes a positive contribution towards combatting the effects of climate change and reversing biodiversity loss.

This vision is being led and advocated by the Living Levels Landscape Partnership. We see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the landscape and rekindle the connection between local people and the countryside.

We can achieve this by taking a landscape-scale approach to conservation. By 2030...

• The distinct identity and assets of the Gwent Levels will be highly valued by local people and visitors. The area will be accessible to all as a key tourist destination, inspiring people to care for and explore its natural, cultural and industrial heritage.

• Local people, landowners and the public, private and third sectors will be working together on a landscape scale, restoring, conserving and reconnecting the physical and cultural landscape of the Gwent Levels.

• The Gwent Levels will be an exemplar for habitat restoration and a haven for iconic species, such as otters, water voles and wetland birds.

• The natural environment of the Gwent Levels will be sustainably managed and maintained to a high quality, with multiple benefits being delivered for society including biodiversity, water quality, flood management and public health.

• Local communities in and around the Gwent Levels will be fully engaged, well skilled and have ownership of, and understanding and pride in, their environment and its rich heritage.

• The Gwent Levels will be valued strategically and recognised within national, regional and local plans.