Press Releases

Biodiversity — who cares?

Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum is showing it cares about the amazing diversity of life on our planet this year with a new travelling exhibition partnered by The Royal Society.

The aim of Biodiversity – who cares? is to encourage the people of Wales to protect their own biodiversity.

It also tries to answer the common question – what is biodiversity - by explaining the fact it is a fundamental part of the Earth’s life support systems and sustains many of our basic human needs for food, air, fertile soil and even furniture!

“Biodiversity is essential to our existence!” said Deborah Spillards, Amgueddfa Cymru’s Biosyb Department Manager who was responsible for creating the exhibition. “That’s why it’s so important we help protect it. We all rely on biodiversity but what’s ironic is that we’re also the greatest threat to it.

“This year the Museum is attempting to help others understand biodiversity and how it works in order to make the right decision on how to sustain it.”

Speaking about the exhibition’s arrival at the National Waterfront Museum, Andrew Deathe, Gallery Author said: “Biodiversity who cares? has something for everyone, it aims to explore many aspects of the flora and fauna around us including why we have power, natures connections, alien invaders, food webs and much more. Visitors will also get the chance to see British specimens of butterflies, moths, birds, plant life and lots of other wildlife to help understand the subject and how we all must play a part to protect it.”

Biodiversity – who cares? was created in partnership with the Royal Society for the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 and will be on display at the Museum until Sunday 28 November 2010.

Between November 2009 and November 2010, the Royal Society is celebrating its 350th anniversary, promoting a spirit of enquiry, excitement and engagement with science. The Society is working with organisations across the country to raise the profile of science and bring scientific activities to new audiences. More information about the anniversary year can be found at www.royalsociety.org

The exhibition adds to the work of the Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales’ scientists who research and identify species contributing to global knowledge and its internationally important collections - a source of biological information for scientists now and in the future.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales is part of the world-wide celebrations of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. The diversity of life on earth is crucial for human well-being and now is the time to act to preserve it. For information on events, initiatives and exhibitions across the UK visit www.biodiversityislife.net

For further information please contact Marie Szymonski, Marketing Communications Officer on 01792 638970.

The exhibition will also be visiting the National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon between 30 November and 9 January 2011.

Admission to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales sites is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales.

• National Museum Cardiff

• St Fagans: National History Museum

• National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon

• Big Pit: National Coal Museum

• National Wool Museum, Dre-fach

• National Slate Museum, Llanberis

• National Waterfront Museum, Swansea