The Gwent Green Grid Partnership hosted a celebration of a spectacular new multimedia artwork celebrating the incredible biodiversity of our region.
The BioTapestry is an ambitious 70-metre-long creation, created by community groups from all five Gwent authorities. Far from a traditional tapestry, it’s a dazzling mixed media masterpiece that bursts with colour, texture, and life, capturing the habitats and species that make Gwent truly unique.
Across 20 striking panels, four from each local authority, the BioTapestry journeys through woodland, aquatic, grassland, and urban landscapes. Each panel shines a spotlight on iconic species including Atlantic salmon, hawfinches, hedgehogs, marsh fritillary butterflies, and white‑clawed crayfish, among many others.
Together, these panels weave a powerful story about the diversity and importance of Gwent’s ecosystems — and the communities who care passionately about protecting them.
To celebrate the BioTapestry and the people behind it, The Gwent Green Grid hosted a special showcase event at The Riverfront on Friday 6 March. The event brought together artists, volunteers, and community groups who generously dedicated their time and creativity to bringing the artwork to life.
TV wildlife presenter Dr Rhys Jones was the guest speaker at the event where all participants were photographed with their panel.
Cllr Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “This fantastic artwork is testament to the hard work, skills, teamwork and enthusiasm of those who participated in its creation.
“It is a stunning representation of our natural world, which helps to highlight how important it is that we protect it as best we can.”
The project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government through the Nature Networks Programme and supported by the Shared Prosperity Fund from UK Government.
For more information on the BioTapestry, visit:
monlife.co.uk/outdoor/green-infrastructure/gwent-green-grid-partnership/biotapestry