A herd of rescue donkeys in Wales have created an ideal habitat for species of rare mushrooms, flowers and insects, after they helped to transform the overgrown, rough grazing where they live into anSite of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).Residents at Snowdonia Donkeys, a sanctuary located at Moelyci near Bangor, have been instrumental in the development of 54 species of rare mushrooms, including the Crimson Waxcap, andthree species of plant-eating flowerswhich have begun growing on the land where they live.Also found in their pasture were a fly and a beetle found nowhere else in Wales, as well as lizards, bats, three species of butterflies and yellow ants.The charitys founders Ruth and Chris Stronge bought the 13-acre plot of land, which had previously been used as a rubbish dump, as a home for the donkeys in 2019.Perfect pastureThe land here was very poor and only fit for rough grazing and for use as a rubbish dump so it hasnt been ploughed for over 200 years which makes it ideal for the Waxcap mushrooms and for many other species, explained Ruth.The rare Crimson Waxcap mushrooms.The land was extremely overgrown but the donkeys, with help from some of the charitys volunteers, have cleared the site of brambles and bushes and transformed it into the perfect habitat forthe mushrooms as well as the other rare flora, fauna and insects.The pasture was recently granted SSSI status with itsSSSI citation stating, parts of Moelyci are a living museum of what Welsh hill farms were like before the Second World War.New arrivalA 40-foot storage unit will be added to the site later this month asWaless biggest self-storage company, Lock Stock,donate one of their units to the charity to use as a shelter for the donkeys as well as a store.As a business, we like to help out local charities in the areas where we work and we have a strong presence in Bangor where we have three sites and this is definitely a very deserving cause which is doing so much good work, said Lee Hanson, Lock Stocks North West Wales area manager.Snowdonia Donkeys isa centre of excellence for the promotion of the health and well-being of people and donkeysandcurrently looks after 18 donkeys. As well as being a refuge for donkeys, the charity also offers a safe space forchildren and adults to escape their worries and work with the donkeys to build their confidence.The charity runs a series of events throughout the week helped by the volunteers, ranging from mother and toddler groups, classes in donkey care, classes for people with learning difficulties and walkers who just want to enjoy the countryside.A local optionIve always loved donkeys and we started with two of our own which we used to take to events to raise money for the big donkey sanctuary down in Sidmouth in Devon, said Ruth.Then we heard that two of the beach donkeys from Llandudno were retiring to go all the way down there and we just thought that they could have stayed in North Wales so we started the charity 12 years ago and its just grown.People might be a bit afraid of being around horses but they tend not to be so afraid of donkeys which are wonderful animals in their own right.Images and video Snowdonia Donkeys.Further readingThis is what a horses ear positions tell you about how theyre feelingHow to take care of a horseHow to tell if a horse is happyHorse owners guide to equine health insurance and vet fees coverThe post Rescue donkeys help create ideal habitat for rare fungi, flora and fauna appeared first on Your Horse.