Aberbargoed Grasslands National Nature Reserve

In 2012, the site became the first area in the Caerphilly County Borough to be designated a national nature reserve. The new reserve was opened by the Minister for the Environment, John Griffiths. Caerphilly Council emphasised the "particular importance to South Wales" of the area due to its proximity to urban areas, as most reserves are typically located in more coastal or rural areas. The majority of the area has also been designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive by the European Union.