A number of events were held around the borough to celebrate Wales Biodiversity Week, aiming to raise awareness of the value of biodiversity. Council-run Bryngarw Country Park in Brynmenyn, Bridgend, played a significant role in these efforts with a packed itinerary for the week.
The rangers worked with more than 350 children from eight schools and other local groups during the course of the week – starting with the Pencoed Rainbows. The rangers took the Pencoed Rainbows on a guided nature ramble where they encountered young newts, tadpoles and even a nesting Woodpecker with her chicks as they learned about the park’s thriving natural habitats.
Schools from around the county borough attended special ranger-led mini beast hunts – part of one of the many activities of the Bryngarw Festival – based in the new Nature Garden area of the park. The children got to hunt through the wild flowers and grasses in search of the many bugs and insects thriving in the undergrowth. Following the successful hunt the rangers educated the children on the bugs that they found discussing the habitats, characteristics and value of each of the creatures encountered.
Ranger Dan Lock said: “The mini-beast hunts are all about opening the children’s eyes to the drama, magic and wonder that’s going on all the time in the undergrowth. By showing them that familiar landscapes can contain hidden wonders, we hope to make connections which will inspire a new generation of conservationists.”
Naomi Probert, a teacher at Brynmenyn Primary School said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves taking part in the mini-beast hunt during Wales Biodiversity Week. They found out interesting facts about the bugs they collected and overall it was a great educational visit, learning all about the importance of biodiversity.”
The rangers also led a series of nature rambles for school groups attending the Bryngarw Festival’s production of Gluscabi. After watching the performance – which had themes connected with the natural world – the children set out to see the real things as the rangers introduced them to the habitats and wildlife found within the park.
Wales Biodiversity Week came to a close on 12 June with the rangers leading volunteers in a ‘Balsam bashing’ day in efforts to eradicate invasive plants from the park – part of a series of volunteer days that take place throughout the year, whereby members of the local community are enlisted to help with the conservation work within the park.
Dan continued: “The week was very intense but incredibly rewarding. The rangers worked extremely hard to ensure that all visitors got the most out of the week’s activities and left inspired and with an understanding of the value of their local natural environment. “
Raising awareness is at least as important as the actual physical work of managing the environment. For this reason the rangers also organise a number of events throughout the year with the aim of educating and inspiring the public to take an interest in their local wildlife and environment. Future events include Rangers Ramble’s taking place in June and July.
To get involved in any of the activities and projects mentioned, or for more information on how you can be part of International Year of Biodiversity, call the rangers office on 01656 725155, email: [email protected] or visit: www.bryngarwhouse.co.uk
