The Welsh Government’s Rural Funding Network is holding roadshows at Hafod a Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground on 28 June (POSTPONED) and at the Aberavon Beach Hotel, Port Talbot on 12 July.  Learn about how the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 might help your business or community.  Get help with your Expression of Interest application.  Drop in between 10.00am and 4.00pm.  Contact ruralnetwork@wales.gsi.gov.uk or 0300 062 2302.

Natural Resources Wales’ latest Funding Update is at https://naturalresources.wales/media/678412/funding-update-may-2016.pdf.

SEWBReC’s 32-page Spring Recorders’ Newsletter at http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/gwent-glamorgan-recorders-newsletter/g-g-recorders-newsletter-issues.page includes articles on water vole re-introduction at Magor Marsh, hawfinches in the lower Wye Valley and reversion to woodland at Grey Hill and other nearby commons.

Monmouthshire’s recycling rate fell from 65% to 61% in the last three months of 2015, a set back for reaching the 70% national target for 2024/25. Pembrokeshire topped the table at 64% and Blaenau Gwent trailed at 49%.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is offering a one-to-one advice service on their grant application forms at the ACE Partnership Centre, 29 Hillcrest Road, Abergavenny on Wednesday, 20 July.  Book a meeting on 029 2034 3413 or at Wales@hlf.org.uk/english/howtoapply by 13 July.

George Monbiot, Guardian columnist and environmentalist, is giving a talk on Rewilding Britain at Monmouth’s Savoy Theatre on 17 June at 7.30pm – £15 tickets at 01600 772467 or via www.monmouth-savoy.co.uk.

There is a new bridge at Govilon on the popular walking and cycling route that links the village to Llanfoist, and is part of National Cycle Route 46.  The original bridge above the B4246 was installed in 1994 on what was previously the railway link between Abergavenny and Brynmawr. After 22 years the wooden A frame structure had reached the end of its life and has been replaced with a new sturdier timber frame to make sure that the many people who use the route can cross it safely in the years to come. The works were made possible by funding from the Welsh Government’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan grant which is overseen by Natural Resource Wales. Further funding also came from the Welsh Government’s Access Grant.

With just a few days left, the British Mountaineering Council and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority are calling on the public to show they care about the landscape they love and use by pledging towards the Mend Our Mountains Campaign at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mendourmountains .

Working with eight national parks the crowdfunding campaign has launched a final push to raise £100,000 by Monday, 9 May to be able to carry out eight urgent upland repair projects on some of Britain’s most iconic peaks, one of which is in the central Beacons – on the horseshoe path above the Neuadd Reservoir near Pen y Fan.

You may like to respond to the Welsh Government’s current M4 Draft Orders Consultation by 4 May and oppose the planned relief road.  More information on how to do this can be found at www.gwentwildlife.org/how-you-can-help/m4-relief-road-help-us-protect-gwent-levels.  This includes a response template, some of the points to be made, and addresses for your responses.  Government information is at www.gov.wales/m4newport.