A cash boost will help protect and keep an eye on the popular ospreys near Machynlleth, as Powys benefits from more than £340,000 in grant funding for environment and wildlife projects.

The increase of surveillance around the ospreys nest at the Dyfi Osprey Project is one of the schemes in and around a Machynlleth nature reserve set to benefit from a £161,900 funding grant from the Welsh Government Nature Networks Fund.

The cash has been given to the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust for biodiversity and habitat improvements and community access work at its Cors Dyfi nature reserve.

The projects will include habitat management and “resetting unmanageable areas of the peat bog back to ecological succession zero” along with a new wheelchair accessible boardwalk.

Elsewhere in Powys, £87,500 was made available for the ‘working together for nature’ project in the Elan Valley by Welsh Water Elan Valley Trust.

The project will “implement priority actions” on Elan’s designated sites identified by Natural Resources Wales.

Low density tree planting in protected areas by Coed Cymru Cyf will also be given a £93,800 funding boost.

The project focuses on native woodland creation in Powys and will “bring more woodland into management and create woodland habitats that are not suitable for farming or timber and forestry.”

The Nature Networks Fund was confirmed in March this year, and the £7m total funding that will help fund 29 projects around Wales was announced this week.

Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Tackling the climate and nature emergencies is at the heart of everything we do - we must protect our environment for future generations to enjoy.

“Recognising the importance of harnessing the power of local communities, this funding will support citizen science, school engagement programmes and volunteer training to build networks of people engaged with these sites, which are cornerstones of our nature recovery work.

“We need a ‘Team Wales’ approach if we are to achieve our ambitious plans to restore nature.

“We want everyone in Wales to see nature - because if people engage with nature, they value nature.

“The sites supported provide a vital sanctuary and high level of protection to nearly 70 species, and more than 50 types of habitats which face threats worldwide.

National Heritage Memorial Fund has taken responsibility for administering the Nature Networks Fund. Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said: “From restoring wetlands, to creating rich habitat for wildlife to flourish, it is vital that we preserve and rebuild our natural heritage.

“The Nature Networks scheme will allow projects to carry out direct conservation which is essential in protecting our biodiversity, and will also increase public awareness of how and why we need to protect our future.”