The Snowdonia Society was established in 1967 in response to a growing number of serious threats to Snowdonia National Park. Its work continues to protect the Park from over development, but also enhances and celebrates the National Park as a home for native flora and fauna, and as a top outdoor visitor destination.
The Conservation Snowdonia Project is in its fourth year, and is bringing lasting, tangible benefits to the environment and communities of Snowdonia. The project improves understanding of Snowdonia’s environment and countryside through voluntary conservation opportunities, minimising the spread of problematic non-native invasive plant species, and maintaining and repairing footpaths on some of Snowdonia’s most heavily used routes. The aims of the project are:
- To minimise the spread of Himalayan Balsam on local habitat and biodiversity.
- To remove Rhododendron from 4 strategic habitat sites.
- To maintain and enhance the existing Snowdon Massif footpath network in priority areas.
The Update
By early October 2011, this project had successfully organised:
Eight workdays clearing Himalayan Balsam were carried out above Lake Bala, to prevent this very invasive species spreading down stream and into the Lake.
Six workdays were also organised to clear Rhododendron from strategic habitat sites. The Snowdonia Society were helped by many volunteers including a scout group, a college group, and probation services volunteers.
Four footpath workdays resulted in footpaths being maintained, and culverts and drains cleared.
The project was completed by September 2013. In total, 10 workdays involving 87 volunteers were held to maintain paths on Snowdon to reduce impact on fragile habitats. 1572 volunteer hours were spent clearing invasive rhododendron from habitats to benefit native flora and fauna. 10 further workdays were held at different locations to clear Himalayan Balsam, to again benefit native fauna and flora.
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