The Snowdonia Wildlife Gardening Project is a partnership of 12 organisations, including the Snowdonia Society, which aims to increase the Biodiversity of Snowdonia through encouraging wildlife friendly gardening. Over the past 50 years a range of habitats have been lost resulting in a decline in the available sources of food and shelter for both flora and fauna. Wildlife gardening is one way of conserving and increasing our biodiversity. Remember - a wildlife friendly garden does not necessarily equate to a wild garden!

The partnership is a useful source of advice and information on how to go about creating a haven for wildlife, with advice on creating habitats, wildlife friendly plants, how to compost etc.

The partnership runs an annual competition looking for the 'Best wildlife garden in Snowdonia' - open to all those with gardens in Gwynedd and Conwy. This year's main prize went to the Hafod Community Volunteers, at the Hafod Centre in Llanrwst. They had created a varied wildlife garden, which included: A more formal garden; a pond (with a boggy area, species-rich butterfly border and wildflower meadow); A wooded section and; An attractive grassland bank with saplings amidst several mature trees.

- For an information pack and entry form for the 2006 competition please contact Anna Williams, Wildlife Gardening Officer on 01766 772507

- If feel that you need some inspiration or a bit of experience then how about spending a bit of time in the beautiful wildlife gardens of Ty Hyll? We are always on the look out for new volunteers - please contact Paul Lewis, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01690 720287..