The initiative for the mural came from third-year students in the Arts Department at the University of Glamorgan under their tutor, Mrs Frances Woodley of the Ceramics Department in 2004. It was designed and created by them with the help of children from Ysgol Gynradd Evan James, and was a final-year degree project. The idea and the facilitating of the project was decided at a meeting in the Otley Arms in Treforest between the students and Y Celteiddwyr. The objective of the mural was to celebrate the rejuvenation of the valleys and the return of wildlife after generations of mining and industry had polluted the air and rivers. Today, herons can be spotted flying towards the old bridge to feed in the shadow of Ynysangharad Park and reports of salmon in the River Taff were also an inspiration to the project.