 The Wye Valley is important for its rich wildlife habitats.The area has three sites of international importance, designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the European Union's Habitats Directive.These are the River Wye ("Afon Gwy"), the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites ("Safleoedd Ystlumod Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena") and the Wye Valley Woodlands ("Coetiroedd Dyffryn Gwy").