The Grassland Trust’s project seeks to increase the population of the Shrill carder bee, one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees, by undertaking restoration of its primary habitat, wildlife-rich grasslands. Working in partnership with Bumblebee Conservation Trust, the project will focus on 40ha of UKBAP grassland habitats at Carmel National Nature Reserve in 
Carmarthenshire, restoring semi-improved grasslands and establishing appropriate grazing regimes. It will also extend the habitat available and reduce fragmentation through the purchase of land adjacent to the existing reserve, so helping to create larger areas of bee-friendly habitat.
The UK’s wildlife-rich grasslands have declined by 97% in the last 70 years as a result of intensive agriculture, development 
and neglect. Alongside this decline, profound impacts have been seen for native bumblebee populations. The Shrill carder bee is one of the two rarest bumblebees and there are only six populations remaining in the UK. Recent studies suggest that these populations are precariously small, with extinction being a real possibility.
The project will contribute to UKBAP targets for the Shrill carder bee by supporting the expansion of its existing population through key habitat works. It will restore 
15ha and create 5ha of lowland meadow, representing a 4.2% contribution to the UKBAP habitat target and 14.3% to the Regional target. It will also restore 10ha of lowland dry acid grassland, providing 3.5% and 83% contributions to UKBAP and Regional targets. Meaningful contributions are also expected as regards UKBAP lowland calcareous grassland, lowland heathland and purple moor grass and rush pasture.
