Film by the Agile Initiative at the Oxford Martin School

‘Our connection to place (‘cynefin’) matters. It’s where we live, it’s where we work. We need to not just keep things exactly as they’ve always been, but preserve them for the good of the future’.

Set against the complex history of an ancient Welsh village, Llanwddyn, that was flooded in the late 1880s to supply water for Liverpool, Lake Vyrnwy has transformed into a living, working landscape. In this video, we explore the community-led ‘Vibrant Vyrnwy’ project, where local volunteers are coming together in partnership with the RSPB and the landowner, Hafren Dyfrdwy, on the edge of the Celtic rainforest to make a tangible difference.

Together, they are collecting seeds and growing trees on the mountainsides to recreate ffridd - a special and declining Welsh habitat that is vital for wildlife and brilliant for naturally slowing the flow of water.

But this project is more than nature conservation; it is about mental health, wellbeing, and fostering genuine human connection for the land and for each other. Learning the historic names of the hills and woodlands connects volunteers to their heritage on a much deeper level. It gives people a true sense of ownership, a profound pride in place, and the impetus to look after it. Crucially, getting involved locally helps people feel less isolated or disconnected, and fosters a sense of belonging to a community that is driving real change. It reminds us that when people feel they are a small but important part of a much larger movement, it not only inspires them to protect the places they love, but empowers them to shape the future of their local area on their terms.

Find out more about Vibrant Vyrnwy here:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/rese...

This film, alongside the wider research project, is the result of a huge collaborative effort. We want to extend a massive thank you to the organisations, charities, volunteers, and community members who welcomed us and shared their stories.

This documentary series was produced by Kinward Films, an independent production company dedicated to creating cinematic documentaries that shift narratives, bring people closer, and celebrate the wonder of the living world. We extend a special thank you to Ross Harrison and Grace Alexander for beautifully bringing these local voices to life on screen.
Thank you also to our collaborative partners at Natural Resources Wales who helped make this work possible, and to the dedicated research team - Caitlin Hafferty, Charlotte Boddy, John Lynch, Rosie Gearey, Mark Hirons, and the Agile Initiative Engine Room - alongside everyone else who supported the process along the way.

The research underpinning this video series was made possible by funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (grant number NE/W004976/1) as part of the Agile Initiative at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.


Oxford Martin School,
University of Oxford
www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk