Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) has teamed up with Gwynedd Council to maintain the nature reserves in North Wales.
A six month pilot project is now underway during which 15 existing nature reserves will be maintained and first steps taken to identify sites where the natural environment may be improved, TLP informed.
The partnership will also include the coordination of established partnerships with local community and voluntary groups, along with ecological audits and surveys to establish baseline habitat and species data.
Sian John , Environment Director for TLP, said: “Reverence for nature is at the core of our business as we work towards developing a fleet of lagoons in Welsh waters. We recognize the complexity of the environmental challenges raised by development proposals but firmly believe that our approach of developing innovative and collaborative partnerships will result in a net economic and environmental benefit for all.
“We can, and will, invest in nature alongside lagoons. Our partnership with Gwynedd Council is our first opportunity to be involved in a model for collaborative nature conservation and enhancement, which we hope will lead to opportunities to support biodiversity through creating new habitats.
“Our aim includes supporting managed realignment schemes for habitat creation around the UK in order to mitigate for any environment impacts arising from future lagoon development.”
Dafydd Meurig , Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, added: “This was not a decision we were eager to introduce, and we are therefore pleased to work on a pilot project to maintain healthy functioning ecosystems within the county.
“We hope this unique partnership with TLP will continue beyond the pilot period and enable the Council to continue delivering for our communities.”