Volunteers play a vital role in clearing up the world’s busiest mountain

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society will be holding its AGM at Plas y Brenin on 18 November and celebrating a frenetic year of working with volunteers to tackle some of the biggest threats to the Eryri National Park.

So far this year dedicated volunteers have spent over 4,256 hours planting trees in Cwm Mynach, cutting bracken and gorse away from around historic monuments like Iron Age hut circles in the Carneddau, controlling the invasive Himalayan balsam and picking up litter on the paths up the world’s busiest mountain, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). The volunteers of our flagship partnership project gathered 1,282kg, 517 bags of litter and helped maintain 28km of footpaths.

Cymdeithas Eryri’s volunteer project, Helping Hands: Growing Caru Eryri has received £249,940 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by Gwynedd Council.  The Society is also delighted to have been awarded funding to support its conservation work, events and training from NRW, the National Grid Electricity Transmission’s Community Grant Programme, Carneddau Landscape Partnership, Postcode Community Trust – a grant giving charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Rory Francis has just been appointed as Director of Cymdeithas Eryri, having filled this role for six years in the 1990s. He says: “Nearly 4 million people visit Eryri every year, with 700,000 of them visiting Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the busiest mountain in the world. It’s brilliant that Cymdeithas Eryri is able to support, equip and train volunteer teams to look after the National Park, for the benefit of wildlife, landscapes, visitors, and local communities.

“We’ve been able to do this thanks to our dedicated staff team, our conscientious trustees our 1,300 committed members, our generous funders and indeed the partner organisations with which we cooperate. In the current difficult climate the Society faces a huge challenge to pay for this work, but over the next few weeks, we have a special opportunity to make a difference. Through The Big Give, every pound donated between 28 November and 5 December will be doubled, thanks to our Champion the Reed Foundation. Members and supporters can do this online at: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

“Eryri faces many challenges. Like the rest of the world, we need to tackle the climate and a nature crisis, but our members are determined to make a difference and help care for this very special place. We’re really keen to work with young people in taking on these challenges. Everyone can help. If you have a few hours to spare, then we have some brilliant volunteering opportunities to suit all interests and abilities. Have a look at:  www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/volunteer

ENDS

If you would like further information please contact Rory Francis, Snowdonia Society’s Director.  Email: director@snowdonia-society.org.uk  Telephone: 01286 685498 or 07539 322678

Further information:  www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Note to Editors

Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, established in 1967, is the charity which works to protect and enhance Snowdonia National Park. The Society works with other organisations and local communities to ensure that the landscapes, wildlife and culture of Snowdonia can be enjoyed by present and future generations. The Snowdonia Society has 1400 members.