The whole of Wales is set to go wild from June 5 – 13 for Wales Biodiversity Week, and among events celebrating the amazing variety of life in this corner of the world, is Denbighshire’s flagship event: an extra special train ride on the Llangollen railway.
The Biodiversity Train Ride will be passing through the beautiful scenery of the Dee Valley, which is internationally important for its wildlife, and passengers can learn about the wonderful wildlife os the area, especially the otter.
The train leaves Llangollen station at 6.30pm on Monday, June 7, and returns to the station at around 9.30pm. Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for children and must be booked in advance on 01352 810586 / 01824 708234.
Throughout the week, thousands of people will enjoy everything from guided walks to fairs on nature and the environment. Last year over 10,000 people, along with pupils from over 100 schools got up close and personal with Welsh wildlife in 159 dedicated events during the nine day extravaganza.
In Denbighshire the week will be launched from the county council’s stand at Woodfest and will include a wildlife gardening extravaganza on Saturday, June 12 at Loggerheads Country Park.
Kate Taylor, Denbighshire’s Senior Biodiversity Officer said: “Biodiversity is the amazing variety of life on earth and we are so lucky here in Denbighshire and Wales as a whole to have such a rich cultural and natural heritage. Wales Biodiversity Week is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get close to nature, enjoy, celebrate and go wild!”
To find out more, and to book a place on any of these events contact Kate on 01824 708234, or visit www.biodiversitywales.org.uk to see the full list of events for Wales.
Factfile
The term ‘biodiversity’ was first used at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and encompasses all the wildlife and habitats in our ecosystem. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan, first published in 1994, is Britain’s response to the convention and sets out targeted goals for the protection and enhancement of selected rare and threatened species and habitats.
Denbighshire’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan was launched in 2003 and covers both UK and local priority species and habitats for conservation found in Denbighshire. It can be viewed on Denbighshire’s website and is also available to see at all local libraries.
The Wales Biodiversity Week aims to use the events and activities organised by local groups to send out 4 key messages:
Wales has a valuable and distinctive biodiversity resource – in rural and urban areas- that is an important component of our quality of life.
This resource is threatened by human activity and we all have a part to play in reversing damage, removing the threats and conserving this resource for present and future generations.
Local Biodiversity Action Partnerships exist in every Local Authority and National Park Area in Wales. They provide opportunities for everyone to explore their impact on biodiversity, and take action locally to preserve biodiversity.
