The Stories That Shape the Land initiative reimagines the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal as a living green corridor that connects people, nature, and heritage across a 35-mile stretch of South Wales. From the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park to the industrial waters of Newport, this once-industrial artery is being transformed into a vital landscape for cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and inclusive access. The canal carries with it centuries of resilience, from the limestone and coal that fuelled an industrial age to the communities who built and sustained it. Today, over 210,000 people live in towns along its route, with more than 72,000 within a 15-minute walk of its towpaths — a powerful foundation for impact.

Led by the National Trust and delivered in collaboration with local authorities, communities, and partners, the project is being shaped by MOOWD as lead strategic design consultant. Together, we are crafting a tapestry of interventions — new habitats, community programming, public art, accessible pathways, and story-rich placemaking. These actions are rooted in dialogue and directed by data. The result is a shared space where culture and ecology meet — a canal not just to look at, but to belong to, participate in, and help shape into the future.