National nature reserves in Wales

National nature reserves in Wales are selected and designated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) (formerly the Countryside Council for Wales). There are 76 reserves all of which are also SSSIs, they cover 26536 ha, or less than 1.5% of the land area of Wales. They range in size from Dan yr Ogof at 0.5 ha to Berwyn which covers 7920 ha. A national nature reserve is designated because of its special biological, geological, habitat or landscape value and most in Wales are open to the public. They include upland and lowland areas, several offshore islands and in some cases estuarine and intertidal zones.

Management
Although the majority of sites are managed by NRW, a number are managed by other bodies, mainly in the public and wildlife charity sectors, including:

• Bardsey Island Trust

• Caerphilly County Borough Council

• Forestry Commission

• Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust

• National Botanic Garden of Wales

• The National Showcaves Centre for Wales

• National Trust

• Natural England

• North Wales Wildlife Trust

• RSPB

• University of Wales

• Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

• Woodland Trust