Press Releases

Biodiversity is fundamental to our existence; without it we won’t survive. Activities at National Museum Cardiff from 20 to 22 May 2010 (11am-4pm), including an ancient tree hunt trail and peregrines live on the nest-cam, live reptiles and behind the scene museum tours, will help visitors discover the importance of conserving and using life on Earth in a sustainable way.

From charities to museums, wildlife trusts and colleges, over 20 organizations active in protecting biodiversity in Wales have come together this year to play a part in the global campaign - International Year of Biodiversity 2010. The aim is to increase awareness of the significance of safeguarding the amazing diversity of life on our planet and encourage others to pledge to Do One Thing to help the cause.

The partnership programme in Wales will start at the Museum in Cardiff on 20 May – in the lead up to International Day of Biological Diversity (22 May 2010) – with Jane Davidson, AM, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing and Michael Houlihan, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. They will stress the importance of biodiversity as an essential element for our health and well-being, our economy and ultimately our lives.

Biodiversity regulates our air and water supply, recycles nutrients to provide fertile soil, pollinates our fruit trees and crops and provides us with food, medicines, fuels and building materials. We all rely on biodiversity therefore it’s vital we understand how it works, in order to make the right decisions on how to sustain it.

International Year of Biodiversity 2010 in Wales three-day celebration

The whole family can get involved at the free event 11am-4pm, 20-22 May when the Museum will come alive with a mix of free activities, information on what’s already being done in Wales by organizations such as Local Record Centres Wales and Coed Cymru and top tips from partners about what you can do at home:

• Amgueddfa Cymru and the Wales Biodiversity Partnership will be encouraging visitors to pledge to Do One Thing for nature, offering advice on the kind of things which can be done in your own back garden (11am-4pm every day)

• Dr Rhys Jones - BBC wildlife presenter - will be present, accompanied by his reptile friends (20 & 22 May, 11am-4pm)

• The BBC’s Breathing Places will also have a presence in the form of Springwatch Wild Day Out activities, offering the chance to learn about biodiversity issues and ideas of what people can do for nature locally (11am-4pm every day)

• Wildlife Trusts Wales will be sharing information on their work in setting aside wild places to establish as nature reserves - an essential part of the Trust's work (11am-4pm every day)

• Cardiff Council will also be joined by wild reptiles and amphibians (20 & 22 May 11am-4pm)

• Meet Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’s scientists, find out about their research and discover how they look after and document objects in their care including new species such as the Ghost Slug. Exclusive behind the scene tours will be held on 22 May at 11.30am and 2pm showing collections that are not usually on display

• Amgueddfa Cymru's Learning team will be looking at local sea shells and identifying pond creatures (11am-4pm every day)

• RSPB Cymru will be on hand showing people the peregrines nesting on City Hall Clock Tower via telescopes and the nest-cam and persuading visitors to invest in green issues with their Letter to the Future campaign (11am-4pm every day)

• Environment Agency Wales will have a large cube game for children (11am-4pm every day)

• Pick up a poster and sticker set from The Ancient Tree Hunt’s stand and go and find animals among the trees in Bute Park (11am-4pm every day)

• The Countryside Council for Wales will be explaining why biodiversity is the foundation of life and hosting children’s activities on the Thursday and Saturday based around our woodlands and habitats

• Analyse otter spraint and barn owl pellets under the microscope with Swansea University (11am-4pm 22 May)

• The Wales Gene Park will bring Origami DNA Helixes with them (20 & 22 May 11am-4pm)

• Coed Cymru will provide information on woodland management and an officer will be available to answer questions on woodland grants (20 May 11am-4pm)

• If you’re interested in ecology as a career, visit The Wales Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and the British Ecological Society’s stand (11am-4pm 20 May).

This activity in Wales forms part of a programme of events across the world highlighting the loss of biodiversity, which, as a consequence of human activities, is estimated to be as high as 1,000 times the natural rate. This is expected to rise further due to the impacts of climate change.

Michael Houlihan, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru concluded:

“It is very encouraging that so many organisations in Wales are working together to persuade more people to take biodiversity seriously. This year is about working in partnership – locally, nationally and internationally in order to make a difference. The three-day event at the Museum will highlight what people can do on their own doorstep to prevent biodiversity loss, which will ultimately contribute to the World-wide campaign.”

Many of the organizations involved in the drive in Wales are also part of the UK-wide membership based partnership. They hope to help people better understand the issues and learn about some of the success stories that indicate a way forward that can make a difference. For information on how to get involved, or to find out about UK events during the International Year of Biodiversity, log on to www.biodiversityislife.net.

For more information about the free event at National Museum Cardiff in May, please visit www.museumwales.ac.uk/iybwales, IYB Cymru’s Facebook page or follow IYB Cymru on Twitter.

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Catrin Mears, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales on (029) 2057 3185 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk or Dana Thomas, RSPB Cymru on (029) 2035 3007 or email Dana.Thomas@rspb.org.uk.