Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park is a remarkable example of recolonisation by wildlife. 

Some of the areas within the Park have been re-seeded, but most of the abandoned fields and industrial spoil heaps have been colonised naturally.

The former pasture banks of the Gwendraeth is now a beautiful self-seeded Ash and Hazel woodland. Splendid Oaks still traverse the former filed banks.

Deep colliery and open cast spoil has been in part converted to coniferous woodland and also open grassland.  This woodland is now a haven for the Goldcrest and the unusual Wintergreen (Pyrola minor ).

The seeded grassland spoil has become a breeding ground for the Skylark - now nationally recognised as a scarce species.  There has also been excitement at the extensive appearance of the rare Pennyroyal mint in this grassland.  This particular species however, is now recognised as being an American cultivar in the original seed mixture.

Near the old Mynydd Mawr shafts, the spoil is spread thinly and is poorly drained.  Here a rare Sedge, Carex distisha, has appeared.  The slow worm and the grass snake are also in residence here.

Perhaps one of the most interestig of all the habitats in the Woodland Park is the base rock left after the open cast cutting.  This is now slowly but surely becoming beautiful scrub-land with an extensive flora of colonising species - ones that can grow with almost no organic soil and only periodic water.

In one special area of this base rock, there is a line of springs coming from the top of the mountain in Upper Tumble by an underground route.  It is laden with mineral nutrients and a highly diverse and exciting wetland flora exists around the flushes.  In one of the flushes, a rare Soldier Fly has been discovered by a local entomologist.

Nature has almost on its own created a Mynydd Mawr wildlife paradise.  On going programmes of habitat enhancement will sustain its importance to the local community.