Press Releases

Three of Wales's national museums are joining forces with environmental organizations to promote saving our natural world on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May, marking International Day of Biodiversity. National Museum Cardiff, the National Wool Museum near Carmarthen and the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea will be hosting a wide mix of free activities for visitors over the two days.

Come to National Museum Cardiff (18 and 19 May, 10am-4pm) to see live animals with the South East Wales Record Centres or make your own balloon bracelet thanks to the Marine Conservation Society and Cardiff Council, who will be explaining why releasing balloons can be harmful to the environment. Natur Cymru will be showing videos of Wales's natural habitat and Flat Holm Island will be hosting activities exploring the Island's unique plants and animals. Meet Amgueddfa Cymru's scientists, find out about their research and discover how they look after objects in their care. Wildlife Trust Wales will be showing the hidden story of marine life from what you might find on the beach and you can even watch the RSPB's peregrines, who live on City Hall, live on the nest cam.

Help us celebrate International Day of Biodiversity at the National Waterfront Museum (19 May, 11am-4pm) and find out more about Marine Biodiversity – this year's theme. Discover which amazing marine and coastal habitats we have on our doorstep in Swansea and the important species they support with the Swansea Biodiversity Partnership.

Have you ever considered how place names are linked to biodiversity? Visit the National Wool Museum (18 and 19 May, 10am-4pm) to find out more with Carmarthenshire County Council. They will also be asking what biodiversity does for us.

These events will be linked to Amgueddfa Cymru and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales's second ‘Unknown Wales' conference following on from its success last year when 200 delegates attended. This year's conference will take place on Saturday 19 May at National Museum Cardiff and is free to all. Opened by TV presenter and naturalist Dr Rhys Jones, the presentations will cover a host of organisms, from lichens and ancient Welsh trees to marine fish and brown hares.

To find out more about these events, please visit

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff; St Fagans: National History Museum; the National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon; Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon; the National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre; the National Slate Museum, Llanberis; the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Admission to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales's museums is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.

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For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales on (029) 2057 3185 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk.