Rhydymwyn Wildlife Management Contract

Defra intends to run an open tender to procure a new contract for the ecological management of the Defra-owned Rhydymwyn Valley site near Mold, Flintshire, and is seeking Expressions of Interest from suppliers capable of meeting the contract requirements.
Rhydymwyn Valley is a 35.5-hectare site of significant ecological, historic and community interest. It contains semi-natural broadleaf woodland, wetland, grassland, grassland-scrub mosaic, a traditional orchard, the River Alyn and historic structures, including listed buildings and two Scheduled Monuments.
The successful supplier will manage and maintain the site’s habitats and wildlife on Defra’s behalf, deliver species monitoring and ecological surveys, maintain specified visitor routes and wildlife-related infrastructure, and provide professional advice on matters affecting the site. Delivery must reflect the site’s ecological management plan, legal protections, the sites two protected species licences, health and safety requirements and restrictions arising from its historic use and ground conditions.
Key activities will include habitat management across wetlands, grassland, scrub, woodland, riverine habitat and the traditional orchard; management and monitoring of bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians (including Greater Crested Newts), butterflies, mammals and plants; control of invasive and noxious species; maintenance of the woodland trail, bird hide, bat and bird boxes, reptile refuges and other specified ecological features; and protection of listed buildings and Scheduled Monument areas through agreed vegetation management.
The supplier will be expected to work collaboratively with Defra, the site’s facilities management provider, relevant statutory bodies, local stakeholder groups, specialist societies and volunteers. The coordination and appropriate expansion of volunteer involvement will form an important part of maintaining the site, supporting monitoring activity, engaging the local community and...